From George Washington to James Bowdoin, 15 May 1780
To James Bowdoin
Head Qrs Morris Town May 15th 1780
Dr Sir
I take the liberty to transmit to your care a Letter for Major General Heath under a flying Seal.1 From an apprehension that he might have left Boston before it arrived and the importance of the objects to which it extends I am induced to use this freedom. If the General has not returned to the Army, I would request the favor of You to have the Letter sealed after perusing it, and delivered to him; and if he has that you will have the goodness to consider it as addressed to yourself and to assist me in the several interesting points to which it goes. It may be of infinite importance to obtain the information required—and I should hope it may be done: Our very good Friends & allies have it much at heart—and view the reduction of Hallifax as a matter of great consequence, as being the Arsenal of support to the Enemy’s fleet in these seas & in the West Indies.2 I very sincerely congratulate you on this prospect of succour from his Most Christian Majesty, which equally demonstrates his wisdom and his great regard for us. Your own good understanding I am convinced, will lead You at once to see the propriety of secrecy upon the occasion and you will be pleased to consider the communication as confidential. I shall be happy, and our interest and character as a Nation indispensibly require it, that our exertions may be proportionned to this fresh instance of magnanimity and generosity on the part of our Ally. I confess I have my fears on this head—as we have now from the pernicious system of short inlistments, nothing left us but the Skeleton of an Army3—and are under great embarrasments with respect to our finance. Every friend to America should give his most active support to these important Objects.
The accounts from Charles Town received on our part as I learn from philadelphia, only come down to the 15th of April. The Enemy’s Batteries had then been opened for some days, without any other effect than killing three privates and a Woman & Child and firing one or Two Houses.4 It is however reported to day, that they have received advice in New York to the 1st Instant5—and that matters had not then undergone any material changes.6 I have the Honor to be, with the greatest respect & regard Dr Sir, Your Most Obedt servant
Go: Washington
LS, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, MHi: Bowdoin-Temple Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. Bowdoin docketed the LS:“Important—Refers to the Reduction of Hallifax, Nova Scotia.”
2. In a draft letter of this date, written at Roxbury, Mass., and probably addressed to the Massachusetts council, Heath noted that he intended to leave Massachusetts “in a few days … in order to Joyn the army” (MHi: Heath Papers). GW’s request for intelligence on the garrison at Halifax and issues concerning the Massachusetts line caused Heath to remain in Massachusetts for the next several weeks (see Heath to GW, 28 May; see also Heath to GW, 12 and 20 June, and , 253).
3. The enlistments of troops who joined the army in 1777 had begun to expire in late 1779 and early 1780. For the detrimental effect of enlistment expirations at West Point, see Robert Howe to GW, 2 April and 1 May (first letter). The “pernicious system” likely refers to state bounties offered to recruits even for short enlistment periods (see GW to Thomas Burke, 5 April 1779, and to Joseph Reed, 8–9 April 1779).
4. For the probable source of this intelligence, see Board of War to GW, 9 May, source note.