George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-27-02-0017

To George Washington from Colonel Elias Dayton, 7 July 1780

From Colonel Elias Dayton

Chatham [N.J.] July 7th 1780

Sir

Their is not the least doubt but that the British in New Yrk have certain accounts of the Approch of a french fleet, as A number of large Ships Are now Moored between the east and west bank for the purpose of Sinking to stop the passage or render it as difficult as possible.1 I have a boat laying up North River I propose to direct A man to run away with her to New York and get into the servuce or to follow fishing to Sandy hook untill he gets a th[o]rough knowledge of every obstruction in the narrows and then return to Eliz. Town. if your Excellency Approves of this plan I have not the least doubt but I can procure a proper person to carry it into execution.

By the best Accounts I can get the number of the enemies Vessels mentioned in my last was nearly right,2 but it cannot be exactly ascertained As two or three are continually kept cruising twenty leagues off the Hook.

Tuesday night last3 four men were taken out of their beds and carried to S[t]aten Island by eight or ten refugees, the men taken lived about one mile west of Eliz. Town and are as good men as any in this country.4 I am your Excellencys Most Obedient Hbe Servant

Elias Dayton

ALS, DLC:GW.

1New York printer Hugh Gaine wrote in his journal for this date: “The Frigates Triton and Gaudaloupe, returned from a Cruize and brought an account that they fell in with a French Fleet last Wednesday Night about 40 Leagues from the Land steering towards the Delaware” (Ford, Journals of Hugh Gaine description begins Paul Leicester Ford, ed. The Journals of Hugh Gaine, Printer. 1902. Reprint. [New York] 1970. description ends , 2:92). The previous Wednesday was 5 July.

For the British plan to sink vessels in the Sandy Hook channel to obstruct the passage of the expected French squadron, see Robert Howe to GW, 11 May, n.6.

2Dayton wrote GW on 4 July (see Dayton to GW, 3 July, source note). His letter does not mention numbers of vessels but was sent with two unidentified enclosures.

3The previous Tuesday was 4 July.

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