To George Washington from Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 13 January 1781
From Lieutenant General Rochambeau
Newport January, 13th 1781
Sir,
I have the honor to recommend to Your Excellency, The Count de Charlus, 2d Colonel of the Saintonge Regiment, who is only son to the Marquis de Castres, whom the news from Europe, report to be made Minister of the Marine.1 He has asked my Leave to go and pay his respects to Your Excellency, as he proposes pushing forward to Philadelphy, Your Excellency will give him Leave, if you think proper.2 We have no news, except that some British frigate is always now cruizing in sight of us. I am with respect, and personal attachment, Sir, Your Excellency’s Most obedient and most humble Servant
le Cte de rochambeau
LS, DLC:GW. GW acknowledged this letter when he wrote Rochambeau on 24 January.
Colonel Charlus visited GW’s headquarters on 19 Jan. (see GW to Rochambeau, 20 Jan.).
1. For Castries’ appointment as France’s minister of marine, see Chastellux to GW, 12 Jan., n.2.
2. GW wrote a letter of recommendation for Charlus (see GW to Samuel Huntington, 24 Jan.).