51From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
My last to your Excellency was on the 10th Inst. Since that time nothing material has occurred. It is with pleasure I inform you that Congress shews every disposition to make the most vigorous preparations for the next Campaign—which I sincerely hope may prove, as honorable to the Allied Arms as the past. I have the honor to be with the highest consideration and sincere personal Regard Yr...
52From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 3 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of the 30th ulto from Hartford. In my last I informed your Excellency that 14 ships of the Line and 7 Frigates had sailed the 26th ulto from New York. I have not yet heard whether the remainder have sailed—neither have I received any intelligence respecting the evacuation of Charlestown—Your Excellency may be assured I shall give you instant information...
53From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 21 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I arrived at this place yesterday at Noon. Upon my return I found intelligence contradicting that which I gave your Excellency from Hartford. The British Transports, I suppose, had made some change of disposition, which gave rise to the report of their having sailed and returned again to New York. I believe it may now be depended on that they sailed from the Hook the 13th instant. I am in...
54From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 13th by Mr Lauberdiere who made so much dispatch that he delivered it last night about 11 o’clock. Were we certain that a pacification had advanced so far as Your Excellency thinks it has, or could we be assured that the British Ministry were really sincere in their offers which have been communicated thro’ their Commander in Chief Sir...
55From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 14 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit your Excellency a packet which I received under a flying Seal from Sir Henry Clinton. I took the liberty to mention to Colo. Ternant that his exchange was compleated. Captains Bert and le Brun are I believe at Charlottville with Colo. Armand. Should your Excellency incline to exchange Lord Rawdon for any American Officer, I would wish you to insist upon his...
56From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 10 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I had last evening the honor of receiving your Excellencys favor of the 7th from Princetown containing the agreeable intelligence of your approach. I have immediately forwarded your letter to Monsr de la Tombe by our Chain of Expresses. I have constantly kept the Marquis de Vaudreuil advised of Admiral Pigots motions, from the first information of his arrival upon these Coasts to his arrival...
57From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 30 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I assure your Excellency, that I feel extreme pain at the occasion of that part of your letter of the 26th Inst. which relates to an intercepted letter of mine published by the enemy. I am unhappy, that an accident should have put it in their power to give to the world any thing from me, which may contain an implication the least disagreeable to you or to the Chevalier Des-Touches. I assure...
58From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 2 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
The third day after he left you, the Baron de Closen did me the pleasure of delivering me Your Excellency’s letter of the 25th. His diligence and zeal perfectly equalled your expectations. The important and agreeable intelligence, the dispatches by him contained, determined me to lose no time in setting out, to enjoy the satisfaction which I have been so long promising myself. I hope to arrive...
59From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 14 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I cannot, My dear Genl, permit you to depart from this Country without repeating to you the high sense I entertain of the Services you have rendered America by the constant attention which you have paid to the Interests of it. By the exact order & discipline of the Corps under your command—and your readiness, at all times, to give facility to every measure which the force of the Combined...
60From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 2 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s Favr of the 10th ulto—and am much obliged by your kind Condolence on the very heavy Loss which Mrs Washington & myself have suffered in the Death of the amiable youth Mr Custis. I arrived in this Town on the 27th ulto where, at the Request of Congress, I expect to remain some Weeks. I am glad to find that your Troops begin to find themselves...
61From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 16 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have sucessively received your two letters of the 8th and 10th. Other pressing occupations prevent my entering at this moment into the particulars of the last—I shall content myself with observing that I am happy to find our ideas substantially the same, and I hope a further explanation will obviate whatever little difference there may be. I have received advices that the enemy are again...
62From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 3 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Count Ferchin will do me the Favor to deliver this to your Excellency—The Operations of this Day are over—but I am not so happy as to inform you that our Success has been equal to our Wishes—altho I have Reason to think that every essential Benefit will Result to our future Operations from the Opportunity I have had in a very full manner to reconnoitre the Position & Strength of the Enemy...
63From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 3 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive your Excellencys Letter of the 23d ulto at this place, where the American Army took their Encampment on the 31st. I am perfectly satisfied with the Route your Excellency has resolved to take in marchg your Army to the North River—and wish you to pursue it in the Mode that is most agreeable to yourself. I am glad to find you mention nothing of Your Fever & Ague—I...
64From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 3 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor of receiving Your Excellency’s Letter of the 28th of April, and of forwarding the Dispatches for the Chevalier de la Luzerne, which were transmitted to my care. I will expect the pleasure of Mr De Menonville’s Company in his route to Philadelphia. Nothing Material has occurred since my last Letter. With the highest esteem & respect I have the honor to be Sir Your...
65From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 19 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of your Excellency’s Letter of the 15th—Being fully persuaded of your active Zeal & Wish to join the Army under my Command, I have only to intimate to you my Desire that you will not hurry your Troops by too rapid a March—but suffer them to make such Halts on their Rout, as you shall find convenient & necessary. By Information received from the Enemy at N. York, It seems they...
66From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 14 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I last night had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s favor of the 11th. As you request me to name the time of meeting, I appoint Monday the 21st of this month at Weathersfeild which I think is as soon as will be possible for you, with convenience. General Knox and General du portail will accompany me. I will endeavour to be at Weathersfeild on saturday afternoon myself, and have made...
67From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 10 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am informed by Admiral Digby that the Ship New Blessing Capt. Thomas Craven will be dispatched as a Cartel from New York to Virginia with American prisoners and with Stores—Medicines and cloathing for the British seamen in Hospital at Gloucester or else where—Your Excellency as the Commanding Officer of his Most Christian Majesty’s ships of War will be pleased to point out the most...
68From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 21 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have this Moment the Honor of your Letter ⅌ Monsr Blanchard—I am very sorry for the Difficultys & Impediments which fall in the Way of your march—& hope they will decrease as you proceed. I have the Pleasure to inform your Excellency that My Troops arrived at the Ferry Yesterday & began to pass the River at 10 oClock in the morng & by Sunrise of this Day, they were all compleatly on this...
69From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 5 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your letter of the 30th July. I applaud all the measures you have taken, which appear to me precisely such as the occasion required, and I am very happy to hear that the neighbouring States manifested so much ardor in doing what their interest, their duty and their gratitude demanded from them. It is my wish you should detain the levies as long as you think they...
70From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 11 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have this instant received a Letter from Colo. Dayton, (an officer of intelligence in the American army, near Elizabeth town) which contain the inclosed paragraph. His informant must, I conceive, have magnified the enemy’s force, both in ships of the line, and in the strength of the detachment—nor do I conceive that the fleet could have sailed on the 8th, as he mentions, on account of the...
71From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do not find that the forc e upon Staten Island is large—or thrown over for any other purpose than that of defence—for which reason it is submited to your Excellencys judgment to march your Troops in one or two division’s as shall be most easy & convenient to them—there moving in two divisions succeeding days, will occasion no delay, as the Second will be up by the time the first will have...
72From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 24 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
At the moment of sending off the inclosed Letter to you of this same date, Your favor of the 8th of this Month, which had been long on the way came to hand. Your Idea of not moving the French Troops, in our present state of anxious uncertainty, is quite coincident with mine; but it is left entirely to your Judgment to maintain or alter that opinion as you may find necessary on further...
73From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 9 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 22d and 25th of December and 1st instant. The reasons assigned by your Excellency for declining, at this time, the enterprize, which I took the liberty to refer to your consideration, are weighty, but the representation made by the Chevalier Destouche, of the impossibility of going to Sea for want of Bread, renders the measure...
74From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
The french corps having staid at Williamsburgh, untill the first of July, without any plan of campaign being received from France, and none of the officers who had been sent to take his majesty’s orders being returned, and the time fit for the operations being so much advanced, it has been necessary to put the french corps in motion, having beforehand consulted the conjectures and the greatest...
75From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 3 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am sorry to inform you that one of our Messengers has been taken between this place and Morris Town. Among other Dispatches he had that which your Excellency enclosed in yours of the 28th of May for the Minister of France. The Enemy can gain no material information from my Letters and I Shall be happy to hear that they will be disappointed in yours. By Letters of the 24th of May from the...
76From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 14 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received information from New York, that Admiral Rodney’s fleet with the transports which have been some time preparing, fell down to the Hook on Saturday last. The number of troops which they have on board is uncertain. If the Admiral with his ships of War, means to form a junction with Arbuthnot, you will soon perceive it by the augmentation of the fleet which keeps off Newport; if on...
77From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 30 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Letter to the Marquis De Vaudreiul is left under a flying Seal for your Excellency’s Inspection—Information from Genl For-man of 24th & 26th instants part of British fleet Sailed—It contains the Intelligence which I have received from N. York respecting the Movement of the British fleet, part of which sailed the 26th inst. I have the Honor to be. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
78From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 25 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
The officer by whom I sent my dispatch for Count de Grasse has returned from Monmouth and has brought me an answer from Genl Forman to whom it is entrusted, and who promises to take the greatest care of it—The following is an extract of a letter from that Gentleman, which your Excellency will be pleased to communicate to Count de Barras, if you think proper. "Saturday the 21st of this month...
79From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 20 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 9 t h 13 t h and 15 t h instants—We have yet no official accounts of the evacuation of Charles town, but there are a variety of reasons for believing that it has taken place. I never could learn that any troops embarked on board the Fleet that sailed the 26 t h of last month. By information from New York, the remainder of the British...
80From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 25 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
The packet arrived at New York last Monday—Nothing has yet transpired but what is contained in the inclosed Paper—I likewise inclose your Excellency an extract from the latest intelligence which I have received from New York, but you will observe that it is prior to the arrival of the Packet—Accounts by Deserters confirm the intended division of the British Fleet. I beg the favor of your...
81From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 4 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
A few minutes after my arrival upon this Ground, I received your Excellency’s favor of this morning. Were I to give way to the anxiety I feel to see the Union between your Army and that of mine, I should request you to march tomorrow morning from North Castle, but when I consider the fatigue which your troops have undergone from their long and rapid marches, at this very hot season, I am much...
82From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
By letters which I have met at this place from the Marquis de la Fayette I find that he was embarked and had determined to fall as low down the Chesapeak as Annapolis as the passage is more certain from thence than from Elk River. I have received advice from Colo. Dayton an intelligent Officer stationed near Elizabeth town that the British transports at New York fell down to the Hook on...
83From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 9 August 1780 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 9 Aug. 1780 . On 14 Aug., Rochambeau, referring to a letter to him from Major General Lafayette of 9 Aug., wrote GW: “Your Letter of the same date did not make the Least mention of it.”
84From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 23 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your Excellency’s favors of the 8th Instt from Newport and 13th from Boston—I am obliged by your communication of the Letter from the commanding Officer at St Domingo but cannot help being anxious for the safety of Monsr Monteiuls Squadron. The intelligence brought by the Vessel from Nantes to Boston is very interesting I am in hopes that the Captn has good grounds...
85From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 18 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received intelligence last night from General Heath—that the British Transports which were supposed to have sailed from New York on the 9th returned again to the watering place on the 11th. Various are the conjectures and reports in New York upon the occasion, but I hope the true reason is, that finding the French Fleet a head of them, they did not chuse to risque the detachment. I shall...
86From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 18 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Before Mr Morris left Camp he made a proposal which he desired might be communicated to your Excellency—He informed me that he understood Mr Tarlé had between two and three thousand Barrels of Flour upon the upper parts of the North River, and as he imagined it could not now be wanted in that quarter he made an offer of supplying you with an equal quantity to the southward, if that above...
87From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 27 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have had the Honor of receiving your Excellency’s Favor of the 23d Inst. from Hartford. It would have given me the greatest Pleasure could I have made it convenient to have met you at Newtown...but independant of many Arrangements which are necessary at the first taking the Field, I am detained by the hourly Expectation of His Excellency the Chevr de le Luzerne. I am pleas’d to find that...
88From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 28 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of your Letter of the 13th of this Mo. Since the Information I conveyed to your Excellency, by the Baron Closen, the Amusement of peace held out by our Enemies has been much augmented by the Arrival of Sir Guy Carleton in N. York, who enounces himself as Commander in Chief in America—with powers of Conciliation to these States—pleasg as their first prospect might have been,...
89From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 16 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I hasten to impart to you the happiness I feel at the welcome news of your arrival; and as well in the name of the american army as in my own name to present you with an assurance, of our warmest sentiments for Allies, who have so generously come to our Aid. As a citizen of the United States and as a Soldier in the cause of liberty, I thankfully acknowledge this new mark of friendship from his...
90From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 19 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellencys favor of the 27th ulto. Under present appearances I think Genl de Choissy should not move beyond Charlotte Court House—There are several reasons to induce a belief that the enemy mean to evacuate south Carolina and Georgia—If such an event is to take place we must soon know it. I requested His Excellency the Minister of France to inform you that...
91From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 26 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received the honor of Your Excellency’s Letters of the 20th & 21st Instant, the last of which came to hand Yesterday Evening, and am much obliged for the matters of intelligence they contain, although some of them do not entirely correspond with our wishes. I am concerned for the situation of Capn Landais, as he has been esteemed an Officer of merit, and as his indisposition has...
92From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 13 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am honored by your Excellency’s favors of the 9th and 10th instants, and with their very interesting communications, which you may be assured will be kept perfectly secret. I flatter myself that the whole Convoy will arrive in safety at some of the Eastern ports, as I believe all the British Ships are cruising off the Hook. The Count de Barras has furnished me with the result of the second...
93From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 11 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have this moment received Intelligence from Kings bridge, that the Refugees have been impressing some Horses this day from the Inhabitants, this used to be commonly an indication of their making an incursion, towards us—If they have any thing of the kind in view at present, it is, I am persuaded, a design to attack some of our Picquets, or drive off any Cattle which may be exposed to them—I...
94From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 12 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
In my letter to your Excellency of the 10th of December last, I requested you to grant passports upon the application of David Ross Esqr. for any Vessells which might be laden with Tobacco for the payment of Goods purchased of the British Merchants at York Town. It has been since suggested, that Passports of Merchandize of every kind, if granted by any other power than that of Congress or...
95From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 7 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose (under a flying Seal for your perusal) a letter to Governor Greene, wch I hope will produce the effect your Excellency desires as it is my wish to give perfect security to the Fleet at Newport in the present critical moment. With sentiments of Attachmt & personal Regard—I have the honr to be Yr Excys most Ob. S. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
96From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 7 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with Your Excellency’s favors of the 30th of April and 4th of this month. The first was delivered to me by Colo. Menonville, to whom I refer you for what has passed between us on the subject of his mission. I have received no particular intelligence from New York since that of the 29th ulto, which has been communicated to your Excellency. I very sincerely wish success to...
97From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 12 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s letter from Bolton in due time. The packet for the Minister of France which accompanied it was forwarded immediately. We have no intelligence of the actual evacuation of Charles town, but from some circumstances which have appeared in the New York Paper of the 5th instant, I think it probable that that event has taken place. The moment I receive...
98From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 26 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose Your Excellency under a flying seal my letter to the Chevalier Des Touches in answer to his of the 20th instant, in which I explain more precisely the grounds and import of the propositions which I had the honor to make to him through you. I shall add to the observations contained in this letter, that so far as related to my proposition for a detachment of land...
99From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 24 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency’s letter of the 20th Instant, from which I have the pleasure to observe the progress you make in the March of the Army under your Command, and your intention to come on to my Camp in Person from Hartford. Be assured Sir I shall be very happy to see you whenever you arrive; you do not mention the route by which you shall come...
100From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 5 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 20th of Apl by Baron Closen arrived at my Quarters last Evening. If the Enemy ever had an intention to evacuate Charles Town, that Idea, I believe is now given up—Great revolutions in the British Councils have lately taken place—the particulars which are brought by the March Packet, will be conveyed to you by the inclosed New York Gazette which I send for your...