From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 9 October 1779
To Major Benjamin Tallmadge
Head Quarters West Point 9th Octob⟨r⟩ 1779.
Dear Sir
I have your favr of the 7th1 inclosing a letter for Major Jameson who is in south Carolina.2 It shall be forwarded by the first opportunity.
Should a certain operation take place, it will be necessary to establish a very regular communication with Long Island.3 These plans are better settled personally than by letter, I shall be glad to see you at Head Quarters. After leaving some person who can be intrusted with the Rect of C—— letters and forwarding them and any observations upon the sound, be pleased to ride over.4 I am Dear Sir Yr most ot Servt
Go: Washington
LS, enclosed in GW to Robert Howe, this date, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, NNFTM; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW signed the cover of the LS, which Tilghman marked “private.” A note on the docket of the LS reads: “Rcd 10th [October].”
1. The draft, also in the writing of GW’s aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman, has “8th.” On the LS, Tilghman first wrote “8th” but then inserted “7th” above the line without lining out the original text.
2. This letter has not been found.
3. GW is referring to joint operations with the fleet of Vice Admiral d’Estaing (see Planning for an Allied Attack on New York, c.3–7 Oct.).
4. For the instructions for the Culper spy ring that GW and Tallmadge developed during this conference, see GW to Tallmadge, 17 October.