George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-28-02-0303

From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 October 1780

To Samuel Huntington

Head qrs [Preakness]
Octr the 15. 1780 6 OClock P.M.

sir

I have this minute received the inclosed New York paper of the 13th which I transmit for your Excellency’s perusal. From the particulars related with respect to Mr Lauren’s capture, I am very much afraid that the account is really true.1 By other recent intelligence from New York which is direct, the Cork fleet is said to be on the Coast.2 I have the Honor to be With great respect Yr Excellency’s Most Obedt st.

Go: Washington

LS, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DNA:PCC, item 152; Df, DLC:GW; copy, DNA:PCC, item 169; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW signed the cover of the LS, which Congress read on 19 Oct. (JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 18:951). Huntington acknowledged this letter when he wrote GW on 19 October.

1GW probably enclosed The Royal Gazette (New York) for 14 Oct., which printed an item reporting the capture of Henry Laurens and mail in early September on the packet Mercury “bound from Philadelphia to Holland.” The prize was taken “into St. John’s [Newfoundland], where the contents of the mail were found to be of such consequence, that a frigate was immediately dispatched to carry it, and the person of Henry Laurens—to Britain” (see also Henry Laurens to John Laurens, 14 Sept., in Laurens Papers description begins Philip M. Hamer et al., eds. The Papers of Henry Laurens. 16 vols. Columbia, S.C., 1968–2003. description ends , 15:404–5).

2For this British supply fleet, see Nathanael Greene to GW, 23 Sept., n.1.

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