From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 4 October 1778
To Major General Stirling
Head Quarters [Fishkill] 4th October 1778.
My Lord.
It is now three1 days since I have received any Intelligence from Your Lordship2—this makes me the more uneasy as my movements depend altogether upon the indications3 of those of the enemy—it is of so much importance to me to be regularly informed—that I must request you will4 send expresses daily—acquainting me precisely with the enemys position, and communicating such intelligence as you may collect from Spies—Deserters &ca.
It is often a satisfaction to know that nothing new has happen’d altho it may not appear very interesting to make a report of it—and Your Lordship will at any rate be able5 to compensate the dearth of events by favoring me with your conjectures. I am with great regard Your Lordships most obedt Servt
Go: Washington
p.s. I open this letter to acknowlege the receipt of your Lordship’s favour of yesterday—I have also received two New York papers transmitted me by Mr Livingston at your desire6—I have nothing to add, but my thanks for the intelligence you communicate.
Major Washington with Moylan’s Reg. is on his way to join your Lordship.7
LS, in John Laurens’s and Alexander Hamilton’s writings, CSmH; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. Hamilton wrote the postscript on both the LS and the draft. The rest of the text on those documents is in Laurens’s writing. GW franked the cover of the LS.
1. At this place on the draft manuscript, Laurens first wrote and struck out the word “five” before writing “three.”
2. In his letter to Stirling of 2 Oct., GW had acknowledged receiving Stirling’s letters to him of 30 Sept. and 1 Oct., and in his letter to Stirling of 6 Oct., GW acknowledged receiving those of 4 and 5 October.
3. The words “you give me” appear at this place on the draft manuscript.
4. At this place on the draft manuscript, Laurens first wrote “entreat you to.” He then struck out those words and wrote “request you will” above the line.
5. On the draft the first part of this phrase reads: “it will be always in Your Lordships power.”
6. Stirling wrote two letters to GW on 3 October. The newspapers sent by William Livingston have not been identified.
7. Hamilton began writing this sentence on the draft manuscript and then struck it out without completing it.