From George Washington to Brigadier General James Potter?, 9 November 1777
To Brigadier General James Potter?
Head Quarters [Whitemarsh, Pa.] Novr 9th 1777
Sir
Your favor without date was handed to me last Night.
As we have certain Information that a fleet of 36 Sail, has left Staten Island to Join Genl Howe I could wish to have the earliest Information of their Arrival in the River.1 I am Sir Your mo. Obed. servt
Go: Washington
LS, in John Fitzgerald’s writing, CtHi: Washington Letters and Papers. Although the identity of the recipient of this letter is not known for certain, its contents are consistent with GW’s other correspondence with Potter. Potter’s letter to GW of 8 Nov. was not dated, and one of his letters to GW of 11 Nov. reported that thirty-eight vessels had arrived on the Delaware River the previous day.
1. For the sailing of the British vessels, see Philemon Dickinson to GW, 6 Nov., which GW acknowledged as having received two days later.