From George Washington to Major General Robert Howe, 7 March 1780
To Major General Robert Howe
Head Quarters Morristown 7th March 1780
Dr Sir
I have successively received your several favors of the 17th February; two of the 28th; and two dated the 4th instant.
From the representation of the Court of Enquiry in your letter of the 28th,1 and till a favorable change in its objects, I am induced to authorise you to direct Col. Hay D.Q.M.G. to augment the number of express riders to the exigencies of the day. He is to make me forthwith a return of the number he may find requisite to call into service on this occasion; and injoined the strictest œconomy, not only as it is the pleasure of Congress, but because it is absolutely necessary in our affairs.2
Inclosed you will find observations on some of the questions transmitted in yours of the 4th.3 You will be pleased to fill up what I have left open, in such a manner as will answer our purposes and at the same time suit the character which the writer bears with the enemy.
You have herewith, the account of expences incurred by Ensn Sloan returned;4 on which you may order payment deducting only the officers subsistence as noted on the back of the account.
Df, in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. GW is referring to Howe’s second letter of 28 February.
2. Udny Hay wrote to GW on 11 March saying that he would likely require six additional express riders: one at Newburgh, N.Y.; two at Continental Village, N.Y.; one at King’s Ferry, N.Y.; and two others (DLC:GW).
3. GW is referring to Howe’s second letter of 4 March. The draft of the undated enclosure, also in McHenry’s writing, was clearly designed to deceive the British by mixing truth with fiction. It reads: “In answer to Beckwith’s letter to —— you will magnify the present force on the North river, but keep it within the bounds of what may be thought reasonable or probable.
“As to the water force up the river, and in the harbours of Connecticut &c.—I can say nothing to the question. You must use your own judgment in this answer as well as others.
“With respect to the recruiting of the army for the ensuing campaign—you may give the true requisitions of Congress on this subject; adding that the states as far as we have heard mean to go into the measure spiritedly, and to fill up their respective batalions by drafts.
“That the quotas of the several States be as follows.
| New Hampshire— | 1215 |
| Massachusetts Bay. | 6070 |
| Rhode Island— | 810 |
| Connecticut— | 3238 |
| New-York— | 1620 |
| New Jersey— | 1620 |
| Pennsylvania— | 4855 |
| Delaware— | 405 |
| Maryland— | 3238 |
| Virginia— | 6070 |
| North Carolina— | 3640 |
| South Carolina— | 3430 Exclusi⟨ve⟩ of blacks. |
“W——n’s intentions are not known. He appears to be preparing both for offensive and defensive operations on the North River. His preparations for the campaign are however on a general scale, and seem calculated for decisive action or as circumstances and openings may point.
“His magazines from motives of policy are not large as to the quantity stored in one place—This he supposes prevents their becoming an object with the enemy, and prevents too great a draught on the army for guards. And This I beleive to be the true reason for his having them so much dispersed in the country.
“Expectations of supplies from France, are not only well founded and ample—but morally certain.
“It is whispered that a French fleet is expected. This however is very cautiously spoken of.
“The confidence in the money is encreasing very fast. This appears to have been brought about by several causes. Every body having bartered part of his property for the money, find it thier interests to see it supported. The current expences of the present year is to be provided for by heavy taxes which the people are very well disposed to bear—by the sale of bills on Europe, which I am told will bring into the treasury about forty million of dollars—& By loans which the moneyed men appear to enter into with much spirit—And in aid to this, the respective States are to furnish specific articles for the support of the army. Congress have determined against any further emissions.
“The militia are well organized, and in consequence of established signals can be assembled at a minutes warning.
“The cavalry I am well informed will be recruited and brought on the lines.
“The troops on the lines Gen: Howe, will speak to himself” (DLC:GW).
George Beckwith (1753–1823), British aide-de-camp to Lt. Gen. Wilhelm von Knyphausen, received a commission as an ensign in the 37th Regiment of Foot in July 1771. He became a lieutenant in July 1775 and a captain in July 1777. Beckwith seems to have handled Knyphausen’s espionage operations. In May 1780, he became involved in Maj. Gen. Benedict Arnold’s correspondence with Knyphausen, and he later assisted in the reorganization of the British spy networks (see 260–62, 406, 460–62). He obtained a commission as a major in November 1781. For Beckwith’s series of secret meetings with Philip Schuyler and Alexander Hamilton between 1789 and 1791 while acting as aide to Sir Guy Carleton, Lord Dorchester, the governor of Quebec, see 6:24–31. Beckwith became a lieutenant colonel in November 1790 and a colonel in August 1795. Between 1797 and 1814, he rose to the rank of full general and served successively as governor of Bermuda, St. Vincent, and Barbados. In 1809 and 1810, as governor of Barbados and lieutenant general, he led successful campaigns to conquer the French islands of Martinique and Guadaloupe. As a reward for his distinguished military service, the king appointed him commander of the forces in Ireland, a post he held from 1816 to 1820.
4. The enclosed account has not been identified. Howe had sent it to GW with his first letter of 4 March.