George Washington Papers
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From George Washington to Major General Horatio Gates, 5 October 1778

To Major General Horatio Gates

Head Quarters Fish kill 5th Otbr 1778

Sir.

I am much obliged to you for your several communications of the 3d and 4th Inst.

The relation of the two deserters1 is certainly of a serious complexion, could we confide in its reality. But the reasons for denying it any great degree of credit are not a few. Of the different observers in New-York and those places proper for attending to the motions of the fleet, not one has made any return of such an occurrence. Major Howel in particular whose station is at Black point, for the express purpose of watching the fleet,2 and giving regular information of their movements, has afforded me no light on this subject—However some interruption to his intelligence may have arisen from the enemys irruption3 into the Jersey.

To gain as much certainty as our circumstances and situation are capable of, I could wish you to procure, if possible, some person in whom you can confide, to go to the west end of Long Island, for the purpose of intelligence, and obtaining the truth of this matter.

I have since your letter given activity to those employed in such business and hope soon to have the matter either contradicted or ascertained.4 I have also directed my out posts to pay the utmost attention to those sailors &c. who may come from New York—that we may do every thing to avoid so alarming a contagion.5 I am Sir Your most obt Servt

Go: Washington

LS, in James McHenry’s writing, NHi: Gates Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1The draft reads: “the two sailors.”

2Black Point was in Monmouth County, N.J., at the confluence of the Navesink and Shrewsbury rivers about eight miles south of Sandy Hook.

3The draft reads: “However some interruption may have happened to his intelligence by the enemys late incursion.”

4For these instructions, see GW’s letters of this date to Richard Howell, William Maxwell, Charles Scott, Stirling, and John Sullivan.

5For these instructions, see GW’s letters of this date to William Maxwell and Charles Scott.

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