To George Washington from Vice Admiral d’Estaing, 6 October 1778
From Vice Admiral d’Estaing
Boston Road 6th October 1778.
Sir.
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 discovered of them, that we shall venture to form probable presumptions—& perhaps what will appear least likely will be prefer’d by him.
A Report was spread that the English had just ravaged the little Settlements of St Pierre and Miquelon1—the little consistence of these islands rendered this operation easy—we hope that with your assistance the day will come, when France shall partake the Cod-fishery with other nations—The King’s disinterestedness makes [him] desire only the happiness of America—and to ensure to his subjects, what it should seem all men are entitled to share—The Loss which has fallen upon some of our countrymen, will I hope soon be effaced by reprisals for which we shall be indebted to you. I have the honor to be with Sentiments of the most perfect attachment—and with infinite respect—Sir Yours &c.
Translation, in John Laurens’s writing, DLC:GW; LS, in French, DLC:GW.
1. The fishing islands of Saint Pierre and Miquelon, located off the south coast of Newfoundland, were France’s only remaining North American possessions after the Seven Years’ War. On 14 Sept. 1778 a squadron of five British warships commanded by Commodore John Evans forced the French governor to surrender the islands (see Evans to John Montagu, 17 Sept., in , 15:201–2). Although the British subsequently removed nearly all of the inhabitants and destroyed most of the buildings and boats, the islands were returned to France by terms of the 1783 Treaty of Paris.