George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-12-02-0239

To George Washington from Francis Hopkinson, 14 November 1777

From Francis Hopkinson

Borden Town [N.J.] 14: Novr 1777

Sir

The Intimacy of my Connection with Mr Duché renders all Assurances unnecessary that the Letter addressed by him to your Excely on the 8: of Octr last gives me the greatest Concern—I flatter myself some undue Means have been used to induce him to write such a Letter, so incompatable with the amiable Character he has ever maintained & so fatal to his Reputation. & I could not forbear communicating some of my Sentiments to him on the occasion. These I might probably have been able to conveyed to him by secret Means but did not chuse to risque the Imputation of a clandestine Correspondance. I have therefore taken the Liberty to send the enclosed Letter to you unsealed for your Perusal Resting it entirely on your better Judgment to cause it to [be] forwarded or not.1 I hope your Excelncy will pardon my giving you this Trouble. The Occasion is a very interesting One to me—My Friendship for Mr Duché calls upon me to do all I can to warn him against the fatal Consequences of his ill-advised Step—that he may, if possible, do some thing to avert them before it is too late. I am Sir With the warmest Wishes of my Heart for your Wellfare Your sincere friend & very hble servt

Fr. H.

ADfS, PHi: Hopkinson Family Papers.

1In his letter to Jacob Duché of this date, Hopkinson expressed his “Grief & Consternation” at Duché’s “fatal Performance,” stated his belief that “our just defensive War will be crowned with Success,” and urged Duché to try to disassociate himself from his “ill-judged Address” (Hastings, Francis Hopkinson description begins George Everett Hastings. The Life and Works of Francis Hopkinson. Chicago, 1926. description ends , 271–73). GW promised Hopkinson that he would try to forward the letter to Duché, but he eventually returned the letter, explaining that he had been unable to find a suitable opportunity to transmit it (see GW to Hopkinson, 21 Nov. 1777 and 27 Jan. 1778).

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