Alexander Hamilton Papers
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George Washington to Brigadier General Louis Le Bèque Du Portail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, 2 November 1779

George Washington to
Brigadier General Louis Le Bèque Du Portail and Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton1

Head Quarters West point 2d. Novemr 1779

Gentlemen

Since mine of yesterday I have received another letter from my confidential correspondent in New York dated the 29th: ulto.2 He informs me that the 57th: Regt: Rawdons Corps and the Artillery mentioned in his last, were to sail on that day for Hallifax, and with them all the heavy ships of War except the Europa. The Daphne Frigate, with Sir George Collier3 and Colo. Stewart4 on board, was to sail for England the same day. He says the pilots reported that it was now difficult to bring a Vessel into the Hook on account of the Hulks sunk there (By this it would seem that some of them still remained upon the Shoals). He says the transports mentioned in his last, as taking in Water and Ballast, only carried it down to the Ships at the Hook. The Rainbow of 40 guns had arrived from Hallifax. He informs me of no other circumstances that materially relate to affairs at New York.

He says a packet arrived from England on the 23d. October. The accounts brought by her seemed to alarm the tories very much. It was reported that the Ardent of 64 Guns had been taken and the English fleet chased into Portsmouth by the combined Fleet, which remained off that place several days. He mentions these matters as current reports, and adds, that a fleet of Victuallers were to sail from Cork the latter end of Septemr. and another of Store Ships and Merchantmen from Spithead about the same time.

I am with great Regard   Gentlemen   Your most obt. Servt.

Go: Washington

The capture of the Ardent is confirmed by a New York paper of the 20th. ulto.

Genl. du portail
   and
Colo. Hamilton.

LS, in writing of Tench Tilghman, Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress; Df, in writing of Tench Tilghman, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.

1This letter was sent by Washington in care of Deputy Quartermaster General John Mitchell at Philadelphia. In the enclosing letter to Mitchell (dated November 2, 1779), Washington asked that the letter to Du Portail and H be given “speediest conveyance” (Df, in writing of Tench Tilghman, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress).

2Samuel Culper, Jr., to John Bolton, October 29, 1779, translation by Tench Tilghman, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress. For Culper, see Washington to H and Du Portail, November 1, 1779, note 2. John Bolton was the fictitious name used by Major Benjamin Tallmadge.

3Captain in the British navy.

4Presumably Lieutenant Colonel James Stewart, First Foot Guards, British army.

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