1To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 21 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received the letter which Your Excellency did me the honor to write the 16th of this month—and I hope that you will have been so good as to read with your usual indulgence my imprudent dispatch of yesterday on the subject of the Marquis de la fayettes Cartel—it was not only my tender friendship for him which dictated it—I regard him not only as my friend, but as a General Officer who...
2To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 2 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I entreat Your Excellency to accept my sincere thanks—for your kindness to Mr de Choin—I share in the gratitude with which he is penetrated—his personal qualities and his connexions in france, had inspired me with friendship and consideration for him. these sentiments derive additional strength from the profound veneration with which he takes a pleasure in depicting to us, that amiable...
3To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 18 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of thanking your Excellency for your goodness in sending me the 13th of October the letter of Admiral Keppel to the English Admiralty published by authority—To have an obligation of gratitude to those, whom we take pleasure in loving and respecting is an additional felicity. The reflexion you make upon the modesty of the English and the exaggerations, they always allow...
4To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 17 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was rewarded for the confidence which I owed your Excellency, and which you inspired, by the Answer which you were so kind as to make me the 11th inst. The approbation of a great man, of one who unites the Suffrages of all, who merits them, is the most flattering of personal rewards, and can alone in part console for that fatality of events, which snatched the fleet from the happiness of...
5To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 26 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received at the same time the two letters that Your Excellency did me the honor to write me the 21 & the 22. My thanks are often delayed by the little obstacles that occur in the navigation of boats. The Expressions of what I owe you cannot be as extensive as my gratitude. ’Tis with the greatest sensibility, I experience every instant how useful and easy it is to act in concert with a great...
6To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 6 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received with all the pleasure which Your Excellencys letters give me, and all the utility that accompanies them, your favor of the 2d inst. The Wisdom and Depth of your Reasonings upon the ulterior views of the enemy—leave nothing to add—you particularise in a luminous manner whatever he can project, execute or fear—It will not be by the preparatives of his measures, and by what can be...
7To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The reputation of Mr du portail made me desire to have the honor of his acquaintance—Your Excellencys recommendation, his talents and his Rank ensured him my esteem and confidence—I have endeavoured to give him marks of them—his devotion to the Service of the United States—the Sentiments which he owes you and with which he is penetrated ensure him my friendship. I made him examine the points...
8To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 23 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received almost at the same time, the two letters that Your Excellency had the goodness to write me the 18th and 20th of this month. The important advices they contain were confirmed to me at the same moment by Mr De Boubie an officer of marine, who has just completed the exchange of our prisoners. I have the honor to send you a copy of what he tells me concerning an embarkation....
9To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 9 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Letter which Your Excellency did me the honor to write the 5th of this month—was sent down to me last night at 8 OClock by the care of Major General Heath—I recognised in the intelligence which you were so kind as to give me and the speed with which it came, the interest which you take in all that regards the Kings Squadron—and I confess to you, that however persuaded I am that the great...
10To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 25 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received the letter which Your Excellency did me the honor to write the 19th inst. I entreat you to accept all the thanks which I owe you, for the intelligence you have been so kind as to communicate. it perfectly accords with the little which I have received, both in point of the sickness of Byrons Crews, and the precipitation with which immense means of embarkation are preparing at...
11To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 20 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
Those who have the happiness to be under Your Excellencys orders find in you a father; The Marquis de la fayette has a superior title to your Excellencys affection—he respects admires and loves you—I had the honor of asking you whether you permitted him to send his Cartel to Lord Carlisle to satisfy myself whether you were informed of it—you were so kind as to acquaint me that you had not seen...
12To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 29 September 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received the letter which Your Excellency did me the honor to write, the 20th September with the confirmation of what was contained in the Letter with which you honored me on the 19th. the details by which I took the liberty of submitting my ideas to your judgement appeared to me, to include all that was to be said upon the different subjects. The Arrival of new Troops at Halifax seems...