From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 16 July 1780
To Major Henry Lee, Jr.
Hd Qrs [Preakness, N.J.] July 16th 80
D. Sir,
We have received advice from New York of the arrival of Admiral Greaves at the hook with six sail of the line the 13th1—We think it very extraordinary if the fleet has arrived that we should have heard nothing of it from you. Should you not have sent off an account before this comes to hand, immediately dispatch a dragoon to confirm or contradict the report, for it may be very injurious to us to remain in suspense. The dragoon must be charged to make all possible dispatch—You will have relays of horses at Chatham, Brunswick, Monmouth and such intermediate places as you think proper to give us instant advice of whatever occurs; two horses at each place.
We have intelligence that the French fleet appeared off Rhode Island the afternoon of the 10th;2 if Graves should have arrived it will be a new motive for conveying your dispatches on Board the French fleet as quick as you can; but be circumspect in your manner of doing it.3 D. Sir Your most obed.
Df, in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
Lee replied to GW from Shrewsbury, N.J., on this date at 11:00 P.M.: “Admiral Greave has most certainly arrived with six sail of the line & is now joined with the fleet under Admiral Arbuthnot before the hook.
“This communicati[o]n I presumed would have been made to your Excly by Gen. Furman, during whose presence in this county I conceived no intelligence from me was expected.
“That my business here, was to expedite his dispatches to collect provision for the F. fleet & to protect the guides.
“I have a detachment of my horse posted near Brunswick another near English town, for the purpose of giving speed to conveyance of intelligence” (ALS, DLC:GW).
3. This letter to Lee must have been written before GW received Maj. Gen. William Heath’s letter of 12 July that confirmed the arrival of the French fleet at Newport. GW apparently had Heath’s letter in hand before he wrote to Lieutenant General Rochambeau and Vice Admiral Ternay on this date.