Chapter IV: Part 4

The General requests you will make his respectful compliments to your Chevalier, and gives you carte blanche to say every handsome thing you think proper in his name, of the pleasure which this visit will give him. I have no doubt that your portrait, which appears to be executed en maitre, will be found a just representation of the original; and if he is as happy as his predecessor in gaining the esteem and confidence of the _men_ of this country, with so many talents to conciliate the leaders, his ministry will not be unsuccessful. I augur well for him. Gen. Washington proposes to meet him as a private gentleman at Fishkill.

A. Hamilton.

HAMILTON TO DUANE.

Sept. 7, 1779.

My Dear Sir:

I this day received your letter of the 4th, with one inclosed for Col. Washington, which was immediately forwarded. You do not mention the receipt of a line from me which I wrote several days since, giving you an account of Arbuthnot’s arrival.

The current of our intelligence makes the reinforcement with him amount to about three thousand, mostly recruits and in bad health; it is said some preparations are making for an expedition, and there are various conjectures about the object; some point to the Southward; perhaps the true destination is the West Indies. But, I confess, I should not be surprised, if the enemy should make a further and vigorous attempt to gain possession of two or three of the Southern States. If their affairs are so desperate with respect to alliance as we are told, the object of the war on their side, from conquest must necessarily change to pacification. The acquisition of two or three of the Southern States would be a handsome counterpoise to their losses in the Islands, and would enable them to negotiate with the more credit and success the ensuing winter.

I am happy to have it in my power to gratify your curiosity about the Western expedition with the inclosed agreeable account. It is the substance of a letter from General Sullivan of the 30th, extracted at Col. Hay’s request, for Mr. Lowdon’s paper. The facts are all true, though you will perceive I have given it a few of the usual embellishments of a newspaper paragraph. I have not specified the number of Gen Sullivan’s wounded; they amount to thirty-nine, among which are Major Titcomb and two other officers. This is a pleasing and I hope decisive event.

In haste, but with the greatest esteem and regard,

I have the honor to be your most
Obed’t servant,
Alex. Hamilton.

COL. LEE TO HAMILTON.

Sept. 10, 1779.

My Dear Sir:

I wish you would send me a copy of General Washington’s letter of instructions to me--a copy of General Orders on the subject of the 19th and the sentence of the Court and trial. The emissaries from the Virginia party have been industrious to injure my military character.

I am, dear Sir,
Yours sincerely,
Henry Lee.

DUANE TO HAMILTON.

Sept. 10, 1779.

Dear Sir:

Accept my thanks for your favor of the 28th of August, and your obliging assurances that you will comply with my request. Unless my anxiety in the events of the campaign had been very great, I should not have been so unreasonable as to impose this burthen on any of my much respected friends at head quarters; well knowing that they, of all others, have the least leisure. I find the British reinforcement is arrived. To me it brings no terror, as I think we have the strongest evidence that it was not originally intended to exceed four thousand men, and these raw recruits. You say Wayne is still safe. Let him keep a sharp look out; for I still hold the opinion, that Sir Henry Clinton is bound in honor to chastise him, for one of the most daring and insolent assaults that is to be found in the records of chivalry; an achievement so brilliant in itself--so romantic in the scale of British admiration--that none but a hero, inspired by the fortitude, instructed by the wisdom, and guided by the planet of Washington, could, by the exploit at Paulus Hook, have furnished materials in the page of history to give it a parallel. * * You see from this how much I am at my ease.

To know the value of domestic enjoyment, next to head quarters, I recommend the chair at the Board of Treasury, for ten months of a session, in which both our friends and foes are waging a successful war against the public credit.

Present my affectionate regard to His Excellency, and the family, and believe me, with every friendly sentiment,

Your affectionate and devoted servant,
James Duane.

HAMILTON TO DUANE.

West Point, Sept. 14, 1779.

My Dear Sir:

I do not recollect whether I said any thing in my last about the strength of the reinforcement with Arbuthnot. All the accounts agree that it does not exceed 3000, mostly recruits, and in very bad health; it is said more than a thousand died on the passage, and the greater part of the remainder are journeying fast to the other world. Disease prevails also in the other parts of the army and among the inhabitants, more than has been known at any time, since the enemy has been in possession of the city. They have been of late making extensive preparations for embarking troops, and we have just received advice, that two German and one British regiment sailed from New-York on the 11th, under convoy of a Sixty-four. The rumors about the destination are various. The West Indies, Georgia, Canada, are all talked of, but the first with most confidence, and is no doubt most probable; our intelligence announces a continuance of the embarkation.

A vessel lately arrived at Boston from the Cape, reports that she sailed from that place in company with Count D’Estaing, with twenty-five sail of the line, and some transports, containing 6000 troops taken in at the Cape, and bound first for Georgia and afterward farther Northward. She parted with the fleet in latitude 25, longitude 74. Two other vessels, arrived at some place in Connecticut, pretend that they parted with a French fleet of men of war, and transports, in the latitude of Bermuda, steering for this coast. These concurrent accounts are not entirely unworthy of attention, though I am not disposed to give them entire credit.

The reduction of the enemy’s fleets and armies in this country, would be the surest method to effect the complete conquest of the Islands; and it would be one of the most fatal strokes Great Britain could receive. The stamina of their Military Establishment are in this country. The ruin of this, and the capture of their seamen and ships, would be an irrecoverable loss. The West Indies would scarcely have any further prospect of succor, and would be obliged to submit to the power of France almost without resistance; which might then operate at leisure, aided by ample supplies from this continent, which I believe are the principal thing wanting.

These reasons may have induced the Count to make us a visit, during the season of inactivity in the West Indies; or if he does not come himself, if by forming a junction with the Spanish fleet, he can make a detachment this way, and still maintain a superiority for operation in that quarter, this perhaps will make the event more probable, than on the former supposition. I have now given you all the intelligence we have, and have mixed certainties, rumors, and conjectures. You will extract and believe as much as you think proper. I shall only add, that I am with the most perfect esteem and attachment,

Dear Sir,
Your most obed’t serv’t,
A. Hamilton.

The General and family charge me to present their most affectionate respects. We are to receive the new Minister to-morrow morning.

DUANE TO HAMILTON.

Manor of Livingston, 16th September, 1779.

My Dear Col.:

I have had no earlier opportunity to acknowledge the receipt of your very agreeable favor of the 7th instant. To yours of the ---- I transmitted an answer by the post.

I perfectly agree in opinion with you what the enemy ought in good feeling to attempt; but as they uniformly contravene their best interests, and pursue measures which can produce the least possible advantage, I conclude they will not persevere in the system of attacking us in our weakest side--the Southern States. They may too, by this time, have some reason for declining what a more enterprising people would hazard at any event. I think I intimated to you that I should not be surprised if Count D’Estaing paid a visit to our coast this fall. Reports prevail which announce his approach. In that case they will be as safe in New-York as at Savannah or Charleston; and it is no slander to say, that the _safety_ of their army has all along been their first object. I have many reasons to be anxious for the expedition against the Six Nations. No less than the safety of our Northern and Western frontiers depends upon its success; to say nothing of the vast national advantages which will be derived from the reduction of these perfidious savages. By the way, what will the world think of our spirit and our resources, when at the very instant our enemies, foreign and domestic, pronounced our immediate ruin from the embarrassment of our finances, and a series of heavy calamities under which they affirmed we were expiring, they see their grand army cooped up in a garrison; their forts taken from them by unparalleled bravery; the country of their Indian allies ravaged and destroyed without a single effort for their protection; and a capital naval armament equipped by a single State, which it required misconduct _perhaps_, on our part, and _certainly_ the most hazardous efforts on theirs, to defeat! I wait with great impatience for further intelligence from General Sullivan’s army. I am not sufficiently acquainted with the country to form a clear idea of their intended route; but if they visit the Senecas effectually, I suppose we soon shall hear from them at Conodeseraga, the chief Seneca town, where our State, so long ago as 1732, made a large purchase for a settlement, to keep them in, but which was not prosecuted on account of the turbulent and faithless temper of the Senecas, and the want of vigor in our own Government.

I must close, or lose the opportunity by a sloop passing to New Windsor. Be so good as to pay my most respectful compliments to His Excellency, the family, Generals McDougal, Greene and Knox, and _if he is still safe_, to G. Wayne; and believe me to be with great regard, and a disposition to do you every possible service,

Your most obedient servant,
Jas. Duane.

Col. Hamilton.

DUANE TO HAMILTON.

Manor Livingston, 23d September, 1779.

My Dear Sir:

I am obliged much by your kind attention to me. The condition of our enemies, instead of being formidable, as they predicted, seems daily to become more feeble; and instead of those vigorous and decisive operations, which could alone have revived their declining cause, and kept up the spirits of their infatuated adherents, we see nothing but languor, discontent, and disgust in their army, their fields, and their councils. Their king alone, as if literally hardened by a judicial blindness, persists in his obstinate folly, and courts the destruction of the British Empire. If, in addition to all his other wants, distresses, and misfortunes, sickness has taken a deep root among his troops, and his partisans; a decisive period must in all probability be speedily put to the mad career.

Count d’Estaing seems to have the ball at his feet. His command of the ocean must be indisputable when he is joined by the Spanish squadron lately at Havana. He may divide his force, subdue the West India Islands, and assist us in expelling or captivating the remnant of our enemies on this continent. I have, however, some distrust of the Count’s _planet_. His former ill luck on our coast has led me to think that he is no _Felix_. I conclude not much from the advantages he acquired over Biron; for that man is marked for the child of misfortune, and I dare say if his nativity was cast, it would appear that his star foreboded decapitation and disgrace. Believe me, I never meddled with the black art, nor am I over superstitious, and yet I discern that I am not altogether free from a prejudice which was very remarkable in the greatest nation of antiquity. Hence it is that I so anxiously look for the fortunate completion of our western expedition; even when a train of favorable events renders it so highly probable.

Be so good as to present my affectionate and respectful compliments to the General and all the family; and believe that I shall be happy in every opportunity to convince you that I am sincerely,

Your friend and
Most obedient servant,
Jas. Duane.

P. S. How do you like the new Minister of France? I have a letter from G. Schuyler. In the course of a week I expect him here, and shall probably accompany him on a visit to the General and our friends at head quarters.

HAMILTON TO DUANE.

October 1, 1779.

I am much obliged to you, my dear sir, for your two letters of the 16th and 23d. In haste I snatch up my pen by an express going off to the Governor, to give you the news as it runs. The most important and best authenticated is, that Count D’Estaing was arrived on the coast of Georgia. The tale runs thus. We are in possession of a Charleston paper of the 6th of September, which mentions that the Viscount de Fontagnes had arrived at that place, sent by the Count to announce his approach. Mr. Mitchel, who transmits the paper, adds,--that by the express which brought it, Mr. Gerard had received dispatches from the Count, informing him of his intention to attack the enemy in Georgia on the 9th; that in consequence of this intelligence Mr. Gerard had postponed his voyage a few days to be the bearer of the event. This, I hope, puts a period to the danger of the Southern States, for which I could not help having strong apprehensions, notwithstanding the presumption drawn from the enemies’ past folly against their pursuing any plan favorable to their interest. I acknowledge the force of the argument, but I was afraid they might for once blunder upon the right way. The departure of Cornwallis on the 25th, with the Grenadiers, Light Infantry, and one British regiment, had increased my horrors on this subject. The nature of this corps pointed to a temporary service for some important coup de main. Charleston presented itself as the only object. They would hardly separate the flower of their troops for any remote and permanent station. They are continuing their embarkation. The accounts we have of the particular corps carry them to between five and six thousand. I send you a Boston paper of the 23d, containing some interesting European advices.

Your most respectful and affectionate servant,
Alex. Hamilton.

P. S. The General is happy in the hopes you give him of a speedy visit from General Schuyler and yourself, and orders me to present his respects to both. The family join in every sentiment of perfect esteem.

WASHINGTON TO COUNT D’ESTAING.

Head Quarters, West Point, October 7th, 1779.

Sir:

Since my letter to your Excellency on the 4th instant, I have had the honor of a visit from his Excellency, Monsieur Gerard. In the conversation we had relative to a co-operation with the fleet and troops under your command, he expressed his doubts of its being possible for you to continue such a length of time as may be essential to the success of the undertaking, and which alone could justify me in going into those extensive preparations absolutely necessary on our part. I have therefore appointed Brigadier General Du Portail and Colonel Hamilton to wait upon your Excellency as speedily as possible, and explain to you fully my ideas of the proposed co-operation--the means we shall be able to employ--the obstacles we shall have to encounter on our side--the plans which it may be proper to pursue, and the measures which are taking and may be taken by the enemy to counteract them. This will enable your Excellency to determine what you can with propriety undertake. I shall only add, that if your Excellency will engage to co-operate with your whole naval and land force against the enemy’s fleet and army at New-York, till the winter is so far advanced that the ice will make it impracticable to remain with your fleet any longer in port, I will bring twenty-five thousand effective men into the field, and will exert all the resources of the country in a vigorous and decided co-operation. Without this assurance on the part of your Excellency, it would be inconsistent with my duty to the public and to the common cause, to incur the expense and hazard which would be inseparable from the enterprise, and the more disagreeable consequences which would attend a failure. I flatter myself your Excellency will be fully sensible of the weight of the reasons, on which this declaration is founded, and will approve the frankness with which it is made, and with which I have instructed General Du Portail and Colonel Hamilton to disclose to you every circumstance, and every consideration with which it is necessary you should be acquainted. If your determination should be in favor of the enterprise, I request you will honor me with a line in answer to this letter, expressive of your ultimate intentions, and that you will communicate to the gentlemen who now wait upon you, the previous measures you propose to pursue, and your sentiments of the most eligible plan of co-operation. I shall act in consequence, till the period arrives for concerting a final and more determinate plan.

I would now observe to your Excellency, that you may repose the most implicit confidence in General Du Portail and Colonel Hamilton, and accordingly I recommend them to your kind civilities and attention. And, having done this, I have only to renew the assurances of that sincere attachment and perfect respect with which I have the honor to be

Your Excellency’s
Most obedient servant,
G. Washington.

HENRY LEE TO HAMILTON.

Mandlopen, October 15th, 1779.

Dear Sir:

I have your letters of the 9th and 18th October. The pilots have orders one half to proceed to Lewistown, there to wait on you.

The route I cannot yet determine, as I am not sufficiently acquainted. They will be sent the shortest, and every assistance given them to expedite their arrival.

Should you leave the Capes before they get there, it would be necessary to dispatch a courier to cross at Dover and pursue the Jersey route with directions for them. Yourself or courier must meet them.

My intelligence corresponds exactly with the information obtained from Captain Monroe and transmitted you from head quarters.

Rhode Island was not evacuated when my last accounts arrived, but will be on the Count’s appearance. Transports are ready there for the purpose.

Sandy Hook, the Narrows, and Governor’s Island are strongly fortified. Be assured of my execution of your wishes, and that

I am your friend and servant,
Henry Lee.

Col. Hamilton.

WASHINGTON TO HAMILTON AND DU PORTAIL.

Head Quarters, West Point, Oct. 18, 1779.

Gentlemen:

I have been favored with Colonel Hamilton’s letter, mentioning your arrival early on the 11th, at Philadelphia, and your being about to set off for Lewistown on the morning on which it was written.

I have attentively considered the object to which you more particularly refer, and am now to authorize you (provided the Count will not determine on a co-operation to the full extent of my instructions), to engage the whole force described in my letters to him, comprehending the Continental troops and militia, in such an enterprise against the enemy’s shipping, as the Count and you may agree to undertake. In a word, I will aid him in every plan of operations against the enemy at New-York, or Rhode Island, in the most effectual manner that our strength and resources will admit. He has nothing more to do, therefore, than to propose his own plan, if time will not admit him to accede to ours; weighing thoroughly, consequences of expense and disappointment.

Inclosed is some intelligence received from Elizabethtown since your departure. You will observe the preparations of the enemy for throwing every possible obstruction in the Count’s passage.

A chain of alarm ships are stationed in the Sound, to communicate the first approach of the Count’s fleet to the garrison at Rhode Island. This they can propagate in a few minutes by signal guns. In a letter from General Gates of the 13th instant, he advises me of the arrival of the fleet, which some time ago sailed from New-York. It amounts to fifty-six sail, and appeared to be only in a set of ballast. This was confirmed by one of the vessels which fell into our hands for a few hours. The opinion is, that it is designed to take off the garrison.

General Gates makes the marine force at Newport, one fifty, and a thirty-two gun frigate. The Refugee and Wood fleet, about thirty-seven sail, mostly armed, at the head of which is the Restoration, late the Oliver Cromwell, of twenty-two guns. One frigate is also taken notice of in the fleet from New-York.

Should the operations against New-York, in either case, be undertaken, it will be of the utmost consequence to block up the garrison at Rhode Island. You will consider the propriety of suggesting to the Count, the detaching of a superior sea force for this purpose, previous to his approaching the Hook. For, should the measure be deferred till his arrival there, it may not then be possible to prevent their junction with the army at New-York, as the notice can be so very suddenly transmitted by means of the signals which they have established.

Every proper attention has been given to preparing the necessary number of fascines, and such other materials as may be requisite in this quarter. Fascines, gabions, etc., are also held in readiness at Providence in case of an operation against Newport. I had thought of the fire ships, and have taken order in the matter. I do not, however, choose to go to the great expense they must run us into, till something is decided with His Excellency Count D’Estaing; but every thing relative shall be provided, so as to occasion no delay when such matters become necessary.

I am, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient servant,
G. Washington.

Brigadier-General Du Portail.

Lieutenant-Colonel Hamilton.

WASHINGTON TO HAMILTON AND DU PORTAIL.

West Point, October 21, 1779.

Gentlemen:

In my letters of the tenth and eighteenth, I transmitted all the intelligence I had obtained respecting the enemy, from the time of your departure to those two periods: and by the present conveyance, I inclose you an extract of a letter from Major-General Gates, of the 15th. By this you will perceive, he was fully persuaded that the enemy are now preparing to evacuate Rhode Island; and he expected, from his advices, they would do it on Monday or Tuesday last.

Whether the event has taken place, or not, as yet, is a matter I cannot determine, having received no information since upon the subject. But admitting it has not, there is no room to doubt that they have all things in a condition to do it, on the shortest notice, whenever they shall think the exigency of their affairs requires it. It is also equally certain, that they continue to carry on their fortifications for the defence of New-York with the utmost industry and perseverance; and appear to be providing for the most obstinate resistance. Indeed, as their reduction would be attended with the most alarming and fatal consequences to their nation, nothing else can be reasonably expected. The moment I hear the troops have left Rhode Island, I will advise you.

The garrisons at Verplanck’s and Stony Points, still remain; but from the concurring accounts of deserters, the heavy baggage and stores, except about eighteen or twenty rounds for each cannon, are embarked, and all matters are putting in train for an evacuation, in case events make it necessary. The deserters add, as a circumstance of confirmation, that Sir Henry Clinton was up at the posts about eight days ago; and that, from that time, they have totally declined carrying on any works.

Having given you the substance of the intelligence received since my last, I am led (from the vast magnitude of the object which carried you from head quarters, and the very interesting consequences it may involve, all of which I am persuaded will occur to your consideration) to remark, that the Count’s entering New-York Bay with his fleet, must be the basis and groundwork of any co-operation that can be undertaken by us, either for the reduction of the enemy’s whole force, or the destruction of their shipping only. Every thing will absolutely depend upon it, in either case; as, without it, and a free and open communication up and down the rivers, and in the Sound, which cannot be effected and maintained in any other way, we could not possibly undertake any operations on Long Island, as our supplies of provisions and stores could only be obtained by water.

This point, I am certain, would have your due consideration; but it appearing to me the hinge, the one thing upon which all others must rest, I could not forbear mentioning it. The circumstance of the season now, the expenditure of wood, and the necessity of supplying it, etc., will of course be fully attended to, according to their importance: and I have only to add, from a desire of preventing a misconception by either side, if any co-operation is agreed on, that the terms and conditions may be explicitly understood. And whether it shall extend to an attempt to reduce the enemy’s whole force, or only to the destruction of their shipping; your engagements will provide for the continuance of the Count’s fleet, to secure our retreat, and the removal of our stores from Long and York Islands, if, unhappily, it should be found, on experiment, that neither is practicable, and we should be obliged to abandon the enterprise.

I am, Gentlemen,
With great regard and respect,
Your most obedient servant,
G. Washington.

P. S. 1-4 after three, P. M. Three deserters have just come in, who left Verplanck’s Point last night. They all corroborate the accounts, by a detail of circumstances, of the preparations to evacuate both that and Stony Point. I have no doubt that things will at least be held in readiness.

G. Washington.

After dispatching the above, I received a letter from Major-General Heath, of which the following is a copy.

“I now have the pleasure to acquaint your Excellency, that the enemy have left both Points, having burnt and destroyed their works.”

General Du Portail.

Colonel Hamilton.

Mandeville’s, Oct. 21, 1779. 4 o’clock, P. M.

HENRY LEE TO HAMILTON.

Monmouth, Oct. 22d, 1779.

My Dear Sir:

I received your two letters announcing your object, route and wishes. I sent to you at Lewistown two pilots; one of them Captain Schuyler, from whom you may know more than from any other, as he was particularly active.

The enemy’s strength at the Hook consists in two 64’s, the Europa and Russell; the Raisonable, Renown, Roebuck and Romulus.

Besides these they have ten frigates and some armed schooners. They have sunk ten hulks in the outer channel, and have more ready to be sunk; some of those sunk have got afloat and reached shore.

They have also two fire ships. My latest accounts from New-York, mention that all was attention and labor among the troops. Works are erecting on both sides the Narrows and on Governor’s Island. Head quarters in Long Island. Evacuation of Rhode Island not yet taken place. A vessel got in on the 16th from Georgia, since whose arrival, the two 64’s, and the Renown have fallen down to New-York.

The troops have embarked from the Hook and gone to the city.

I construe these movements as indicatory of the Count’s withdrawal from the coast. Do write me whenever you may hear certainly from the fleet. You will regularly be informed of what passes here.

I am, dear Sir,
Yours affectionately,
Henry Lee.

Col. Hamilton.

MITCHELL TO HAMILTON.

Philadelphia, 23d October, 1779.

Sir:

Your favor of the 18th instant from Lewistown, came duly to hand, and in consequence of your request, expresses have been stationed at proper distances on the road between this and Lewistown.

Yours of the 19th from Egg Harbor, came to hand at half-past two, and yours of the 22d instant, from Col. Westcoat’s, came to hand at three o’clock this afternoon.

I shall only observe in answer to your last note, which came unsealed, that you have met with no delays from me, since your arrival in this city from His Excellency’s head quarters, nor shall any delays or neglects be given you by the Department that I can prevent.

Your letter to the President of Congress is delivered. I have shown him yours to me. Congress is now sitting, but I shall wait till they rise in order that his dispatches may go with this conveyance; three expresses set out with this to attend any orders you may have to dispatch. If you find more necessary, you shall have them. I had letters from His Excellency yesterday, but none for you or General Portail. This day letters came from Charleston, which mention that all the British forces in Carolina and Georgia had got to Savannah, where they were invested by the Count D’Estaing, and the American forces. He had carried his approaches within four hundred yards of their works, and expected they would surrender in two or three days; the Experiment taken, and several other ships and their naval force destroyed: but I expect the President will give you a more particular account; those accounts are by private letters of good authority. Mr. Laurens was my informant.

I have sent you per the express, Mr. Trueman Kirk of O’Mooney, four horses, the best I can procure in so short a time; one of them is a horse you left here. It is with great difficulty horses can be procured sufficient to do the public business.

The President of Congress informs me he cannot write at present. The accounts from the southward are as late as the 4th instant, on which day the Count’s batteries were to open.

I am with esteem and compl’ts to General Portail--Sir,
Your most obed’t servant,
Jno. Mitchell,
_D. Q. Mst._

A letter from His Excellency for you and Gen. Portail was sent to Lewistown on the 19th inst., but suppose it will be returned; if so, no time shall be lost in sending it.

Col. Alexander Hamilton.

WASHINGTON TO HAMILTON AND DU PORTAIL.

Head Quarters, West Point, October 25, 1779.

Gentlemen:

I have just received a letter from Colonel Hamilton, mentioning your having changed your position, at Lewistown, for that of Little Egg Harbor; and that you would write me more fully on your arrival at the Furnace. In my last I informed you that the enemy had evacuated both their posts at King’s Ferry; since which, no alteration has taken place that has come to my knowledge. Things at Rhode Island remain in the same situation; at least I have received no accounts, either confirming or contradicting my former intelligence.

I am, Gentlemen, your most ob’t,
Humble servant,
G. Washington.

Gen. Du Portail.

Colonel Hamilton.

DU PORTAIL AND HAMILTON TO WASHINGTON.

Great Egg Harbor Landing, October 26, 1779.

Sir:

We are honored with two letters from your Excellency, of the 10th and 21st; to the contents of which we beg leave to assure you of our strictest attention.

That of the 18th has not yet come to hand. It is not improbable, it has gone round by Lewistown, which has occasioned the delay.

Colonel Hamilton wrote to your Excellency from Philadelphia, acquainting you with our arrival there, and our intention to proceed to Lewistown, Cape Henlopen, and from Great Egg Harbor, communicating our progress since, and our determination to establish ourselves at Bat Stove Furnace. We have since fixed on this place, about forty-four miles from the extremity of Cape May (eighteen miles short of the Furnace, which we found to be more remote than had been represented), and, as far as we have been able to learn, from 100 to 110 miles of Sandy Hook, and about 50 from Philadelphia. Your Excellency will easily perceive the reason of our choosing this station. It did not appear to us, from our inquiries in Philadelphia, to be a point well ascertained, that the fleet would stop at the Delaware; and the time which had elapsed, made it more possible, if the Count should be determined to prosecute any further operations on the continent, that he would not lose time by a procedure of this sort, but might content himself with sending some transports, under escort of a few frigates, to receive the provisions for the fleet, and proceed himself directly on to the Hook. On this supposition, our position at Lewistown was entirely ineligible. The distance at which we were from the city, as well as from the Hook; the delays that would consequently attend our intelligence from every quarter; the difficulty and impossibility, sometimes, of traversing the Bay, made our first situation inconvenient in every respect, in the event of the fleet’s proceeding immediately to the Hook. These considerations induced us to cross the Delaware, and take the position at which we now are; where, or in the vicinity, we propose to remain till the arrival of the Count; till intelligence from him decides the inutility of a longer stay; or till we receive your Excellency’s orders of recall.

We have now a better relation to the different points in which we are interested, and have taken the necessary precautions to gain the earliest notice of whatever happens. We have stationed expresses at the pitch of the Cape, and have established a regular communication with Major Lee, and with the city. If the fleet should appear off the Delaware, we can be there in twelve hours after its first appearance; and if at the Hook, in less than four days; provided Major Lee is punctual in conveying the intelligence, and the expresses, from either side, in bringing it.

By recent information from Philadelphia (though not quite so distinct and accurate as we could wish), we find, that so late as the fourth of this month, the Count, as yet, was to open his batteries against the enemy at Savannah. The time that will probably intervene between this and the final reduction; the re-embarkation of the Count’s troops; the dispositions for sailing, and his arrival on this coast; may, we fear, exhaust the season too much to permit of the co-operation to which our mission relates.

We do not, however, despair; for if the Count has been fully successful to the southward, and should shortly arrive (which may be the case), the enterprise may possibly go on.

In a letter from Major Lee, of the 22d, he informs us, that a vessel from Georgia arrived on the 16th; since which the two sixty-fours, and the Renown, which were at the Hook, had fallen down towards New-York; and the troops at the Hook had embarked and gone to the city. At first sight, this account alarmed us, and made us apprehensive that the enemy had received some favorable advices from the southward, which put them out of danger, and superseded the necessity of continuing their preparations for defence. But, on further reflection, we think it more probable, that this is only a change of disposition; and that finding, on closer examination, they would be unable to defend the Hook, they had determined to relinquish the attempt.

This seems the more likely, as Major Lee mentions, that a part of the hulks, sunk in the channel, had gotten afloat and drifted ashore.

To this experience of the difficulty of obstructing the channel, may, perhaps, be attributed the change we suppose. And we are confirmed in this conjecture, by the evacuation of the two posts at King’s Ferry, which appears, by your Excellency’s letter, to have taken place on the 21st, five days after the supposed arrival of the vessel from Georgia; a proof that they had not received information of any decisive good fortune on their side, or ill fortune on ours; and that they persisted in their defensive plan. We are persuaded, too, that their exultation would have given wings to any good news they might have received, and that it would have reached us before this. Were the season less advanced, we should regret this change of disposition; because we believe the attempt to defend the entrance of the Hook would have been fruitless; and it might have thrown a part of their ships, and of their troops, into our hands, in the first instance, which could not fail to facilitate the successive operations.

But, at this late period, it may rather be an advantage. To force the passage, might have required land operations against the Hook, which would lose time and expose the fleet to the hazard of winds, which would have rendered its situation critical. Now, the fleet may probably enter the bay, on its first approach, and be in security: and the whole operation will be brought to a point, and may demand less time for its accomplishment.

As a large number of fascines, ready for use, appear to us essential to any operations that may be undertaken, we presume your Excellency has been preparing, and will continue to prepare as many as possible. We beg leave to suggest the utility of having, at the same time, a sufficient number of gabions and sand bags. Of the former, Colonel Gouvion, if your Excellency thinks proper, may be charged with the constructing: the latter may be made under the care of the Quarter-Master at Philadelphia. Several thousands may be necessary. The usual dimensions are fifteen or eighteen inches long, and twelve wide. If notwithstanding the advices from Major Lee, any thing by land is to be attempted against the Hook, these will be peculiarly useful on such a flat, sandy spot; and, indeed, it would be impracticable to construct batteries, in any reasonable time, without them.

We have the honor to be,
Sir, your most obedient and
Humble servants,
A. Hamilton.
Du Portail.

His Excellency Gen. Washington.

HENRY LEE TO HAMILTON.

October 29, 1779.

My Dear Sir:

I have nothing new since my last; only a report aboard the Navy at the Hook, purporting two naval actions, the one in the English Channel between the grand fleets: the second in the West Indies: in the former the British were worsted; the Ardent, man-of-war, Admiral Gambier, sunk, and the fleet drove into two different ports where they were blocked up; in the latter the French were much damaged, and four of their capital ships taken.

Lt. Col. Simcoe has made lately a very extraordinary tour to Middlebrook: he burnt the boats, magazine of forage, court-house, meeting-house, took two officers at Mr. Vanhorn’s, and lost himself near Brunswick. The party got safe to South Amboy. I send you a letter from head quarters.

Adieu.
Yours affectionately,
Henry Lee.

Col. Hamilton.

WASHINGTON TO HAMILTON AND DU PORTAIL.

Head Quarters, West Point, November 1, 1779.

Gentlemen:

I have this day been favored with yours of twenty-sixth ult., informing me of your removal to Great Egg Harbor. My letter of the eighteenth, which had not reached you, went, as you supposed, by way of Philadelphia; and, lest any accident may have happened to it, I inclose you a duplicate. Mine of the thirtieth ultimo, which went through Major Lee, informed you of the evacuation of Rhode Island. I have since received a letter of the twenty-first ultimo, from my confidential correspondent in New-York. He informs me that Rawdon’s corps, the 57th, and some of the artillery, were then embarked: and it was said, and generally believed, that they were bound to Halifax. That the Robuste, of seventy-four guns, had arrived the twentieth, from Halifax; and that a number of transports were taking in water and ballast. He gave me nothing further worth communicating.

You will find, by the letter of the 18th, that a provision of fascines and gabions was making; and I shall give directions to the Quarter-Master-General, to provide a quantity of sand bags.

I am sorry to inform you, that Colonel La Rodiere died on Saturday last. He is to be buried this day with the honors due to his rank.

I am, with great esteem, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient servant,
G. Washington.

P. S. Upon a presumption that Colonel Laurens will be on board the fleet, the inclosed are sent to you.

Brigadier-General Du Portail.

Colonel Hamilton.

WASHINGTON TO DU PORTAIL AND HAMILTON.

Head Quarters, West Point, November 2, 1779.

Gentlemen:

Since mine of yesterday, I have received another letter from my confidential correspondent in New-York, dated the twenty-ninth ultimo. He informs me, that the fifty-seventh regiment, Rawdon’s corps, and the artillery mentioned in his last, were to sail on that day for Halifax; and with them, all the heavy ships of war, except the Europa. The Daphne frigate, with Sir George Collier and Colonel Stewart on board, was to sail for England the same day. He says the pilots reported, that it was now difficult to bring a vessel into the Hook, on account of the hulks sunk there. (By this it would seem that some of them still remained upon the shoals.) He says the transports mentioned in his last, as taking in water and ballast, only carried it down to the ships at the Hook. The Rainbow, of forty guns, had arrived from Halifax. He informs me of no other circumstances that materially relate to affairs in New-York. He says a packet arrived from England on the twenty-third October. The accounts brought by her seemed to alarm the tories very much. It was reported that the Ardent, of sixty-four guns, had been taken, and the English fleet chased into Portsmouth by the combined fleet, which remained off that place several days. He mentions these matters as current reports, and adds, that a fleet of victuallers were to sail from Cork the latter end of September, and another of store ships and merchantmen, from Spithead, about the same time.

I am, with great regard, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient servant,
G. Washington.

The capture of the Ardent is confirmed by a New-York paper of the twentieth ultimo.

General Du Portail and Colonel Hamilton.

DU PORTAIL TO HAMILTON.

Samedi Matin, 1779.

Mon Cher Colonel:

J’ai beaucoup revé depuis hier à l’affaire de Caroline, et je trouve toujours dans ma tête les mêmes choses, la même façon de voir, les mêmes dispositions, que je vais vous expliquer en deux mots. Je serais certainement bien aise d’aller en Caroline pendant cet hiver, mais je ne voudrais pas absolument le demander, parce que, si je le demande, on ne me saura plus de gré, que je n’irai pas avec le même agrément, que je ne pourrai faire aucune espèce d’arrangements qui me donne le moyen d’être vraiment utile là-bas, qu’il me vaudra voyager à mes dépens, ce que l’état de mes finances ne me permet pas, etc., etc. Je ne désire donc y aller que dans le cas où le Congrès ayant par exemple assez bonne opinion de moi pour croire que dans le moment critique je puis être nécessaire dans le pays, il penserait de lui même ou averti par quelqu’un à m’y envoyer, ne pourriez vous donc pas mon cher Colonel, à propos de la demande du Géneral Washington au Congrès, observer, _comme de vous même_, au Géneral, que si je voulais aller passer mon hiver en Caroline cela serait peut-être fort avantageux. Si le Géneral le jugeait ainsi, probablement, il vous demanderait si vous croyez que cela me convient d’ailleurs et me fait plaisir. Sur cela vous pourriez lui répondre que vous en êtes persuadé, et que je vous ai fait entrevoir même que dans cette circonstance, je désirerais que le Géneral et le Congrès jugeassent à propos de m’envoyer dans le sud, mais pour le moment de crise seulement, souhaitant de revenir pour ses ordres au commencement de la Congrès prochaine. Le Géneral prendrait donc la résolution pour cela de me donner les ordres nécessaires, si je n’ai besoin que des siens, ou s’il pense que le Congrès doit intervenir, d’expliquer au Congrès sa façon de penser à cet égard. Ceci suffit à quelqu’un d’aussi intelligent que vous, pour négocier sous le pied où je désire, ainsi je laisse le reste à faire à votre amitié. Que cette lettre d’ailleurs soit un secret entre nous, de quelque façon que l’affaire tourne; mais je désire absolument d’être gratifié en ceci. Adieu je vous attends à dîner et j’ai l’honneur d’être.

General Du Portail.

Col. Hamilton.

HAMILTON TO LAURENS.

Cold in my professions--warm in my friendships--I wish, my dear Laurens, it were in my power, by actions, rather than words, to convince you that I love you. I shall only tell you, that till you bid us adieu, I hardly knew the value you had taught my heart to set upon you. Indeed, my friend, it was not well done. You know the opinion I entertain of mankind; and how much it is my desire to preserve myself free from particular attachments, and to keep my happiness independent of the caprices of others. You should not have taken advantage of my sensibility, to steal into my affections without my consent.

But as you have done it, and as we are generally indulgent to those we love, I shall not scruple to pardon the fraud you have committed, on one condition; that for my sake, if not for your own, you will continue to merit the partiality which you have so artfully instilled into me. I have received your two letters: one from Philadelphia, the other from Chester. I am pleased with your success so far; and I hope the favorable omens that precede your application to the Assembly, may have as favorable an issue; provided the situation of affairs should require it, which I fear will be the case. But, both for your country’s sake and for my own, I wish the enemy may be gone from Georgia before you arrive; and that you may be obliged to return, and share the fortunes of your old friends. In respect to the commission which you received from Congress, all the world must think your conduct perfectly right. Indeed, your ideas upon this occasion seem not to have their wonted accuracy; and you have had scruples, in a great measure, without foundation. By your appointment as Aid-de-Camp to the Commander-in-Chief, you had as much the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel as any officer in the line. Your receiving a commission as Lieutenant-Colonel, from the date of that appointment, does not, in the least, injure or interfere with one of them; unless, by virtue of it, you are introduced into a particular regiment, in violation of the right of succession, which is not the case at present, neither is it a necessary consequence. As you were going to command a battalion, it was proper you should have a commission; and if this commission had been dated posterior to your appointment as Aid-de-Camp, I should have considered it derogatory to your former rank, to mine, and to that of the whole corps. The only thing I see wrong in the affair is this: Congress, by their conduct, both on the former and present occasion, appear to have intended to confer a privilege, an honor, a mark of distinction, a something upon you, which they withheld from other gentlemen of the family. This carries with it an air of preference, which, though we can all truly say we love your character and admire your military merit, cannot fail to give some of us uneasy sensations. But in this, my dear, I wish you to understand me well. The blame, if there is any, falls wholly upon Congress. I repeat it, your conduct has been perfectly right, and even laudable. You rejected the offer when you ought to have rejected it; and you accepted it when you ought to have accepted it; and let me add, with a degree of over-scrupulous delicacy. It was necessary to your project. Your project was the public good; and I should have done the same. In hesitating, you have refined on the refinements of generosity.

There is a total stagnation of news here. Gates has refused the Indian command. Sullivan is come to take it. The former has lately given a fresh proof of his impudence, his folly, and his *********. ’Tis no great matter; but a peculiarity in the case prevents my saying what.

Fleury shall be taken care of. All the family send love. In this, join the General and Mrs. Washington; and what is best, it is not in the style of ceremony, but sincerity.

LAURENS TO HAMILTON.

Philadelphia, December 12, 1779.

My Dear Hamilton:

Upon my arrival here yesterday evening, I communicated the intelligence received from General Wayne, to the President of Congress and the French minister. The latter surprised me greatly, by informing me, that only one 74 gun ship of the Count De Grasse’s division, and the Fier Rodrigue, had arrived at Chesapeake. I am at a loss how to account for the absence of the rest. They have not been within the reach of a superior enemy’s force: no storm has happened, within our knowledge, to drive them to any considerable distance from the coast. It cannot rationally be supposed that the Count has received countermanding orders, and that a capital ship of the line, together with a very valuable warlike merchantman, is to be sacrificed. Be the case as it may, all hopes of passing our reinforcement for the southern department, by sea, are out of the question. The North Carolina Brigade, after profiting by the navigation of the Delaware as far as it would serve them, marched to the head of Elk. Thence they proceed, by water, across the Chesapeake, and up to Petersburgh, where they are to be overtaken by their wagons, and pursue the rest of their way by the middle road to Charleston. This is the route marked by the Board of War, and a Committee of Congress appointed to confer with them; and I believe it was recommended by Doctor Burke, one of the North Carolina delegates lately from that country. It is intended that the Virginians should pursue the same as far as Petersburgh, where they are to take an upper road. In this route we do not avail ourselves of Albemarle Sound. The going up the river to Petersburgh will certainly be tedious; and four hundred miles land march is to be executed from thence. I communicated these objections to Mr. Matthews, and proposed the route which the General pointed out; but the poverty of the country in provision, and the means of transporting the baggage of the troops, he said, would outweigh the advantages of the water carriage and direct road. I am by no means satisfied with the present arrangement, when I reflect how much more rapidly the British may convey their reinforcements: but all the inquiries I have made hitherto, have produced nothing favorable to our plan. Indeed, in the present unguarded state of the Chesapeake, the British might render the passage even of that ineligible.

Mr. Serle, a member of Congress, who arrived in town last night from the neighborhood of Major Leigh’s post, asserts, that no transports were at the Hook on Wednesday. Whether the British operations are delayed by false rumors of Count De Grasse’s division; or whether they have heard, as we have here, that Count D’Estaing was still on the coast the twentieth of November, I cannot decide: but one would be inclined to think, that they are disconcerted, either by false intelligence, or a total defect of it. I entreat you, my dear friend, to transmit me the earliest and most accurate relation that can be obtained, of the British movements; and enlighten me with your observations upon them. Present my respects and love to our excellent General and the family. May you enjoy all the pleasure, moral and physical, which you promise yourself in winter quarters, and be as happy as you deserve. Tell the Doctor I shall commit his darling to the press this morning.

Yours, ever,
John Laurens.

Colonel Hamilton.

LAURENS TO HAMILTON.

Philadelphia, December 18, 1779.

My Dear Hamilton:

On my arrival in town, I was informed by the President, that Congress had suspended the business of appointing a secretary to their minister plenipotentiary at Versailles, until my return, in hopes that I might still be prevailed upon to accept the office. I replied, that I thought my letter upon the subject sufficiently explicit; and assured him of my sincere desire to be excused from serving in that capacity at the present juncture of our affairs.