George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-12-02-0385

To George Washington from William Moultrie, 26 April 1793

From William Moultrie

Charleston [S.C.] 26th April 1793

Sir,

The very defenceless state of this Port, together with the earnest wish of the Citizens, has determined me in erecting a few Cannon to preserve the peace and secure the command of the Harbor; I do myself the honor of communicating this to you, and hope the measure will meet with your approbation.

The expences cannot be great, as we already have the Cannon, the Batteries in contemplation to be erected, are to be, one of five 18 pdrs at Fort Johnson, another of two 18 pdrs at Fort Moultrie and should circumstances require it, one of two 18 pdrs on the point of Marsh called Shutes folly which is opposite to Fort Johnson.1

In consequence of the rupture between the French Republic and other powers in Europe, I have taken as my guide the Treaties which subsist between the Several powers and the United States; and as in Some instances these will clash, I am to request your instruction respecting that line by which I should conduct myself during the existence of the war.2 I have the honor to be your most Obt & very huml. Servt

Willm Moultrie

ALS, NjMoHP. GW received this letter on 13 May (see JPP, description begins Dorothy Twohig, ed. The Journal of the Proceedings of the President, 1793–1797. Charlottesville, Va., 1981. description ends 137).

1On South Carolina governor William Moultrie’s failed bid to obtain federal cannon for use at Charleston Harbor, see Moultrie to GW, 15 Feb., GW to Moultrie, 15 Mar. 1793. The fortifications of Fort Johnson on James Island and Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island and those on Shutes Folly, a large marshy island, were important defensive locations for Charleston’s harbor.

2At GW’s request Tobias Lear wrote a brief cover letter to Jefferson on 13 May, asking him to take the enclosed letter from Moultrie “into consideration, with the other matters which are to be weighted” (DLC: Jefferson Papers). No reply to Moultrie from Jefferson or GW has been found.

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