1From George Washington to La Luzerne, 23 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
Colo. Fleury this moment presented to me the letter your Excellency did me the honor to write from Trenton. & by his communication of your arrival at that place without accident, & meeting Monsr Gerard in good health, made me perfectly happy. Monsr Fleury has obtained my consent to be absent from this Army—He carries with him a certificate expressive of his great merit as an Officer—and a...
2From John Adams to the Chevalier de La Luzerne, 17 October 1779 (Adams Papers)
printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams, ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:175–176 . John Adams, thanking La Luzerne for his letter of 29 Sept. (calendared above) congratulating him on his appointment as minister to negotiate the peace, confessed to some diffidence about his ability to undertake so difficult a task. He added,...
3From George Washington to La Luzerne, 4 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
Major Galvan delivered me the letter which your Excellency did me honor to write me on the 23d of Jany—to which I have paid all the attention the importance of its contents demands. I am much flattered by this commencement of a corrispondence from which I have every thing to gain; and equally indebted for the interesting communications it affords. It is a happy circumstance that the efforts...
4From George Washington to La Luzerne, 15 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of Your Excellency’s letter of the 4th which only reached me late on the 13th. Sincerely desirous of doing every thing in my power by which the interest of his christian Majesty inseparable from that of these States can in any manner be promoted, and still more in a point so essential as that which makes the subject of your letter, I should not...
5From John Adams to the Chevalier de La Luzerne, 1 March 1780 (Adams Papers)
I have not had opportunity, Since I left Braintree, to pay my Respects to you. The good old Sensible had like to have laid her Bones in the Atlantic, as there is great Reason to believe our Sprightly Companion the Courier de L’Europe did. She parted from Us in a violent Gale of Wind And has not Since been heard of. The Misfortune of a Leak in the Sensible, gave me, an Opportunity of Seeing...
6From Benjamin Franklin to the Chevalier de La Luzerne, 5 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
AL (draft): Library of Congress I received with great Pleasure the Letter you did me the Honour of writing to me from Boston. I rejoiced to hear of your safe Arrival, and that the Reception you met with in my Country, had been agreable to you. I hope its Air will suit you, and that you while you reside in it, you will enjoy constant Health and Happiness. Your good Brother does me sometimes the...
7From George Washington to La Luzerne, 26 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am just returned from a visit to Mr D’Miralles, and am happy to inform your Excellency, that if he has experienced any change since you left him, it is for the better. His Fever & pulse, tho’ he had a very restless night the last, are now moderate & regular, and his hic-cough has entirely left him. These are symptoms which the Doctor considers as rather favourable, but I am unhappy they are...
8From George Washington to La Luzerne, 28 April 1780 (Washington Papers)
It is with pain I inform your Excellency that Mr de Miralles is worse to day—He had a restless night, and his fever is increased—His Throat is now so sore that it is with difficulty he can be nourished—and besides these, his respiration is bad. Symptoms so unfavourable in the advanced stages of a disorder afford little hope of recovery, especially in a person of Mr de Miralles’s age. Permit me...
9From George Washington to La Luzerne, 5–6 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Two days since I had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s letter of 29th of April. The polite terms in which you mention the attention which my respectful attachment for you dictated during your stay in Camp adds to the obligation I felt for the honor of your visit. I was happy in that oppertunity of giving you new proofs of my sentiments and I entreat you to afford me others as frequently...
10From George Washington to La Luzerne, 11 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
The attention and honors paid to Mr De Miralles after his death were a tribute due to his character and merit, and dictated by the sincere esteem which I always felt for him. I am much obliged to your Excellency for your intention of sending me a detail of the land & Sea forces arriv’d at Martinique, which I beg leave to inform you, you forgot to inclose in your letter. You will participate in...
11From George Washington to La Luzerne, 14 May 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have had the honor to receive the detail of His most Christian Majestys Fleet in the West Indies, which your Excellency has had the goodness to send me. I congratulate you very sincerely, Sir, on this very respectable armament, which I found to surpass my expectations and I would willingly hope that an occasion will be afforded the Count De Guichen to strike some important blow...
12From George Washington to La Luzerne, 5 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
My time has been so entirely engrossed in the preliminary arrangements of immediate necessity towards the intended co-operation, that I have not been able till now, to do myself the honor to thank your Excellency for your letter of the 21st of May. We have too many proofs of the generous zeal of your Country men in the cause of America, not to be convinced of it, and to feel all that the most...
13From George Washington to La Luzerne, 27 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose your Excellency a letter which has just come to hand from the Count de Rochambeau of the 22d instant. It is certainly of great importance that the precaution he mentions should be taken without loss of time. I should think the Delaware the best place for the reception of the 2d division, though there ought to be cruisers off both capes. It is necessary a plan should...
14From George Washington to La Luzerne, 4 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Colonel Gemat arrived here last night, by whom I had the honor to receive Your Excellency’s request, that I would send instructions for the second Division coming from France, with respect to the measures which it should pursue for forming a junction with the first. I beg leave to inform Your Excellency that I wrote to the Count de Rocambeau, agreable to my Letter to You of the 27th Ulto and...
15From George Washington to La Luzerne, 5 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Count De Rochambeau being too much ⟨en⟩gaged to write to your Excellency, when the last express came ⟨aw⟩ay has requested me to give you an account of his present ⟨dis⟩positions —which you will find in the inclosed copy of ⟨his⟩ letter of the 30th of July. In the letter I did myself the ⟨hon⟩or of writing to you yesterday, I omitted sending you a ⟨de⟩tail of the enemy’s naval force with...
16From George Washington to La Luzerne, 6 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had this morning the honor to receive Your Excellency’s Letter of the 30th of July, with the One addressed to the Chevalier de Ternay, which I have sealed & forwarded by an Express. With respect to the Continental Frigates—I beg leave to inform Your Excellency, that I did not apprehend from the Resolution of Congress concerning them, that they were to be under my orders or to receive any...
17From George Washington to La Luzerne, 11 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit Your Excellency a Letter from the Chevalier Ternay, which came under cover to me last night, with One addressed to myself. I also enclose an Extract of the Letter from the Admiral to myself and of one of the same date, from the Count de Rochambeau. Your Excellency will perceive by these, tho I presume the Admiral has written to You fully on the subject, the...
18From George Washington to La Luzerne, 16 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose Your Excellency a letter which came under cover to me from the Count De Rochambeau. I think the plan of engaging the German Deserters will answer a good purpose. The Chevalier De Ternay has applied to me to have a Vessel loaded with flour now in the Delaware convoyed by the Continental Frigates to Boston and the Sloop Saratoga Sent to the West Indies with his last...
19From George Washington to La Luzerne, 5 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to return your Excellency the plan of the lines at Charles-town, which you were so obliging as to favor me with a copy of. I hope you arrived in good health & without accident at Philadelphia. With great consideration and personal attachment I have the honr to be Yr Excellys Most Obedt Hble Servt ALS , FrPMAE ; ADfS , DLC:GW ; Varick transcript , DLC:GW . This document has not...
20From George Washington to La Luzerne, 14 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Yesterday brought me the honor of your Excellency’s favor without date—but which I suppose to have been written on the 5th Instt, as it accompanied a letter from the Marqs de la Fayette of that date. Receive my good Sir, the expression of gratitude which is due to your Excellency, for the important intelligence you have communicated relative to the designs of the Court of Spain upon the...
21From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 8 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inform Your Excellency that the Fleet set sail this Evening about Sun Set, with a fair Wind—We have not yet heard of any movement of the British in Gardiners Bay—A few days must determine whether they intend to give us any interruption. I have the honor to be with the highest Respect Yr Excellency’s Most obt and hble Servt AAE : Memoires et Documents, Etats-Unis.
22From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 11 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the honor to inform your Excellency that the French Fleet put to sea on the evening of the 8th. By advices from New London, the British in Gardener’s Bay did the same yesterday morning. They took their sick on board and departed with their whole force— They gave out that they were destined for Chesapeak. From appearances a meeting of the two Fleets seems unavoidable— Their force...
23From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 31 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I was last evening honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 27th covering an open letter for the Count de Rochambeau, by which, you have been so good as to make me the earliest communication of the action on the 16th between the French and British Fleets off the Capes of Chespeak. By the inclosed you will be informed of the return of the forms into the harbour of Newport. I must confess to...
24From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 13 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to inclose your Excellency the Copy of a letter this moment recd from Count de Rochambeau. I have no particulars, but I flatter myself the intelligences brought by the Viscount will be agreeable. I have the honor to be with perfect Respect and Attachment Your Excellency’s Most obt and hble Servt AAE .
25From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 14 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had yesterday the honor of receiving your Excellency’s favor of the 7th accompanied by the Copy of one which you had written to the Chevalier des Touche. As I very much approve the plan which you therein recommend, I permitted the original and the packet for the Count de Rochambeau to go forward. I last night received dispatches from the Count de Rochambeau and the Count de Barras, who is...
26From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 17 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed dispatches have just been sent to me with a request that I would forward them immediately to your Excellency. Count Charlus mentions that the packet for the Marquis de la Fayette is of good consequence and wishes it may be transmitted to him by a safe conveyance. I have the honor to be with very great Respect and Esteem Your Excellency’s Most obt Servant AAE : Memoires et...
27From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 23 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
The letter which I have the honor to inclose from the Count de Rochambeau will, I imagine, inform your Excellency of the intended march of the French Army towards the North River and the destination of the Kings Squadron now is the Harbour of New port, if circumstances will admit of the respective movements. I should be wanting in respect and confidence were I not to add that our object is New...
28From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 8 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am exceedingly obliged to Your Excellency for your interesting Communication of the 1st instant. The Martinico Paper has been forwarded to the Count de Rochambeau. As You promise me the Pleasure of your Company the first Leisure Moment You can find I shall defer entering upon a Detail of public Officers until I shall have the Happiness of a personal Conversation. Indeed the Accidents which...
29From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 13 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
His Excellency the Count de Rochambeau having requested me to forward the Dispatches herewith transmitted by the safest possible conveyance; I now do myself the honor to send them by a Gentleman of the Quarter Master General’s Department. Having been made acquainted by the Count de Rochambeau with the design of the Counte de Grasse to come to this Coast with his fleet; I cannot forbear...
30From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 5 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
With the highest Satisfaction, I do myself the Honor, to transmit to your Excellency, the inclosed Copy of a Letter, announcing the arrival of the Count DeGrasse with 28 Ships, in the Chesapeak. With the warmest Congratulations on this happy Event. I have the Honor to be Your Excellency’s Most Obedt Servt AAE .
31From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 15 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
Inclosed I have the pleasure to transmit a letter from the Count DeGrasse; and am happy to inform your Excellency that the Rhode Island f leets under Count De Barrass have arrived, for particulars respecting the movements & junction of the fleets I must refer you to the enclosed. I am with great respect Your Excellency’s most obedt Humble Ser vant AAE .
32From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 29 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Count de Grasse having been so good as to submit the inclosed Signals to my light & Improvement—agreable to his Desire, I take this first Opportunity to return them to your Excellency by a safe Conveyance—And hope they may prove of signal Advantage to the Commanders of his Most Christian Majesty’s Naval Armies. I have the Honor to be Your Excellency’s Most Obedient humble Servant, AAE :...
33From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 4 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
Herewith I have the honor to send your Excelly a letter for the Chevr De la Meth, in which is another for the Mareschall Duke de Broglie. In giving these testimonials, I have a two fold pleasure—doing justice to the merits of a gallant young Officer—and Complying with your Excellency’s wishes—to do which, at all times, will afford me the highest pleasure. I have the honr to be Yr Excellys Most...
34From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 26 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have had the Honor to receive your Excellencys Favor of the 18th inst. by Count Beniowsky—and by the same gentleman I do myself the pleasure to congratulate your Excellency on your safe Return to Philadelphia in good Health. The Plan which the Count means to offer for the Consideration of Congress, appears to be projected upon a liberal Scale, and with some Explanation, & perhaps a few...
35From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 27 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have had the Honor to receive your Excellencys Favor of the 22d instant per Captain L’Enfant. I beg your Excellency to be assured that I feel myself happy in an Opportunity at any Time to gratify your Desires; more particularly so on the present Occasion, which I view as diffusive of the most sensible Joy to the allied Nations of France & America. I most chearfully comply with your...
36From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 28 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am honord with your Excellencys Letter of the 20th Inst. inclosing Copy of a Letter from Count Rochambeau to you, and a Letter for Mr de Quemy commanding the Emerald Frigate—The latter I sent immediately by Express, under cover to the Governor of Rhode Island, requesting him to send it without any delay to Mr de Quemy. Altho I can hardly think that the Enemy will divide their Force and take...
37From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 28 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I received with much gratitude the remembrances, and compliments of the principal Officers of the French Army in Virginia; and thank your Excellency for the trouble of being the bearer of them to me, and, the letter from Count Rochambeau. With equal sensiblity and pleasure, I received, and do now acknowledge, my obligation to your Excellency, for the communication from your Court; which tho’...
38From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 5 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I should have done myself the honor of sending the Letter here with inclosed, earlier, but having no Cypher established with your Excellency I was afraid to entrust it to the care of a common Express—It now goes by Baron Closen & I trust will get safe to your hands. I shall again repeat, that with much consideration, & great personal attachmt I have the honor to be Yr Excellency’s Most Obet...
39From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 5 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of conveying to your Excellency, the inclosed address of the Officers of the American Army under my immediate Command, on the auspicious birth of a Dauphin. Happy in this oppertunity of presenting to you this United testimony of respect and veneration for your Royal Master, I pray you to believe that I enjoy the highest satisfaction in having such an occasion of manifesting to...
40From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 24 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was in the moment of sending off a dispatch to Count de Rochambeau, of which I have the honor to inclose a Copy, when your Excellency’s Letter of the 14th Instant arrived. I have only to refer you to my Letter of the 28th of April for a perfect state of Matters in this Quarter; and as little alteration has taken place since that period, your Excellency will readily perceive the...
41From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 9 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged to your Excellency for your two favours of the 28th of June, and 3d July which I have had the honor to receive, since my return from the frontiers of this State, where I have been in company with Governor Clinton, to visit and regulate my advanced Posts. As the business of the Army had accumulated greatly in my absence, and as I am exceedingly occupied in making some...
42From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 11 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellencys favor of the 5th, by Monsr de Choissy, who crossed the North River yesterday evening. For my opinion respecting the operation, which the Marquis de Vaudreuil had in contemplation, I beg leave to refer you to the inclosed Copy of my letter to that Gentleman. Your Excellency may be assured, that I undertake with the greatest pleasure, the procuring the...
43From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 16 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor of receiving your Excellencys Letter of the 14th by the hand of Mr de Laubedier covering one for the Marquis de Vaudreuil at Boston. As that Letter arrived after the departure of the Post which set off Yesterday for the Eastward, and waiting for the next Post will give it almost a Weeks delay, I shall send it forward immediately by the Chain of Expresses which has been...
44From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 28 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit to your Excellency, Copies of the Intelligence I yesterday received from General Forman in Monmouth County New Jersey. Altho there does not appear to be perfect Authenticity in the Acco. which respects the Arrival of the 25 Ships of the Line under Sir Saml Hood’s Command, yet the probability of such an Event, gives it great credibility—The List of Ships already on...
45From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 5 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to transmit to your Excellency, the substance of Intelligence which I have lately sent to the Marquis de Vaudrieul—Vizt. On the 3d Septemr I informed him that "On Friday Evening the 30th of Augst the Warwick of 50 Guns, with 5 large Transport Ships, with 1500 or 2000 Troops on Board, sailed from N. York Harbour, bound for Halifax; and at 10 oClock the next day, six Ships,...
46From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 22 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to forward to your Excellency a Letter which I have this Moment received from the Marquis de Vandrieul. At the same Time I transmit to you a Copy of the late Information with which I have furnished the Marquis—altho I cannot vouch for the perfect authenticity of this Intelligence, yet the Channel thro’ which I obtain it, is a very good one. I have constantly kept the Marquis...
47From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 24 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Sundry accounts from New York, having reached me, informg that the British were more than meditating an Enterprize against the squadron of the Marquis De Vaudreuil, which the Enemy have learnt are now in two Detatchments—in Boston & Portsmouth Harbours—and that preparations were makg for the purpose; I have made the Marquis acquainted with this Intelligence, and the probability of such Event...
48From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 18 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose to your Excellency a Copy of an Estimate of Expences incurred by the conveyance of Information which I have had the honor at your request to transmit to the Marquis de Vaudreuil. It has been communiated to me from the Quarter Master General who was intrusted by me to institute the Chain of Expresses—and at the same time it is intimated to me that he shall be obliged...
49From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 18 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit to your Excellency a packet which was this Morng received by the Chain of Expres, from the Marquis de Vaudieul at Boston. I take the Liberty to inclose to your Care several Letters for France, which I beg your Excellency will be so good as to forward by the first good Conveyance. I have the Honor to be &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
50From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 25 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Letter, which I have the honor to transmit to your Excellency, was received this Moment by a flag of Truce from New York. It was accompanied by one addressed to me from the Count de Vergennes, on the same Subject. The Case of Capt. Asgill having, before the receipt of these Letters, been submitted to Congress—I have immediately transmitted to that Hono. Body, Copy of the Counts...