21From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 9 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellencys request respecting the Prisoners which you expect from N. York by Way of Dobbs Ferry, has been communicated to the Intendant of our naval prisoners, who is at that post—and I trust Measures will be taken to give such relief & Assistance as may be needed. The Letter for Capt Macarty, was forwarded by a Gentleman going directly to Portsmouth. I have the Honor to be &c. DLC :...
22From 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 :...
23From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 22 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of requesting the favor of Your Excellency to forward the inclosed for the Count de Vergennes with your first dispatches either from Philada or the Chesapeake, as I shall send a duplicate by the Frigate which the Marquis de Vaudreuil proposes sending from Boston the beginning of next Month. I have the honor to be with the greatest Respect Yr Excellency’s Most Ot & hbl. servt...
24From 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...
25From 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...
26From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 23 April 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellencys Letter of the 10th instant. Congress having, by several Arrangements, given me reason to believe, that their sense of the prelimininary Articles is such, that there is no doubt but they will terminate in a definitive Treaty; I cannot suppose that these will be a Necessity of the further Continuance of the French Troops in the United States. Nor can I...
27From 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...
28From 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...
29From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 13 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
We are making some preparations in the Army for a display of our Joy on the happy event of a general peace—The Exhibition will be delayed until the arrival of the definitive Treaty; If your Excellency can make it convenient to honor us with your Company on the occasion it will be a great addition to our happiness. I take the liberty to put under cover to your Excellency several Letters which I...
30From 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...
31From 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...
32From 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...
33From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 6 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
Lieutenant Colonel Villefranche and Major Rochefontaine, late of the Corps of Engineers, having quitted the service of the United States, and being about to return to France, have requested me to signify to your Excellency my opinion of their services in this Country. The Zeal, Activity, and knowledge of their profession, which have been conspicuous in the conduct of these Gentlemen, could not...
34From 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...
35From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 6 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 30th ulto. You may be assured I shall continue, agreeable to your desire, to communicate any material occurrences respecting the enemy’s naval Force at New York. I expect the Count de Rochambeau tomorrow—When I shall deliver into his hands, the packet which accompanied your Excellency’s note of the 2d inst. Chevalier Chastellux is now...
36From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 29 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of enclosing to Your Excellency, under a flying seal, a Letter to the Count de Rochambeau; it accompanies the Cannon presented to him by Congress—should the Count have left the Continent previous to their arrival, agreeably to his direction, I must request you will have the goodness to take charge of these Peices, and of the Carriages which will also be sent to your Orders....
37From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 17 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have received a Letter from Sir Guy Carleton dated the 12th inst. at N. York, of which the following is an extract. "The preparations for withdrawing his Majesties Troops from this place are so far advanced, that, unless some untoward accident should intervene I hope it may be accomplished some days before the end of the Month; in all events, I propose to relinquish the Posts at King’s...
38From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 3 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to transmitt to your Excellency the information I have just receivd from General Forman. it has somehow been a long time on the road but I had before transmitted the Marquis de Vaudreuille the very same intelligence which I received by another channell and I now send him this confirmation. "Friday Nov. 22—The Admirals Ship fired three Guns and the fleet got under way there...
39From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 18 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to recieve your Excellys Letter of the 7th Octr which was handed to me by the Count Wengerski—I was in hopes this Gentleman would have passed two or three days with us but his hurry to visit the North Ward induced him to leave us immediately. It always gives me great pleasure to have an oppertunity of assuring you of the sincere regard and attachment with which I have the honor...
40From 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...
41From 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...
42From 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...
43From 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...
44From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 14 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have just received a Letter from General McIntosh in Georgia praying me to use my intrest with your Excellency in favor of a young frenchman under the name of Du Coins whose situation is explained in the Letter I now do myself the honor to enclose. Tho’ I am unacquainted with the young Gentleman otherwise than by that Letter, yet having served with Credit in our Army, and being represented...
45From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 29 March 1783 (Washington Papers)
The News of a general Peace, which your Excellency has been so good as to anounce to me, has filled my Mind with inexpressible satisfaction; and permit me to add, that the Joy I feel on this great Event, is doubly enhanced by the very obliging Manner in which you have been pleased to express your Congratulations to me & to the Army, on this very happy occasion. The part your Excellency has...
46From 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,...
47From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 13 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your Excellency’s letter of the 6th instant—on a subject not more distressing to you; Sir, than to myself. I have at various periods of the War written to Congress and to the States, endeavouring to convince them of the necessity of passing the most vigorous Laws to prevent the Inhabitants from furnishing the Enemy with Provisions. I will write them again, and will use every...
48From George Washington to Anne-César, chevalier de La Luzerne, 19 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with your Excellencys Letter of the 12th of this month inclosing Copies of your two letters to General Carleton—It was not necessary you should apologize for sending in your dispatches by way of Elizabeth Town, under the circumstances you mention, there could be no impropriety in it. The moment I receiv’d the resolution of Congress in favor of Captain Asgill, I transmitted it to...
49From 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...
50From 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’...
51From 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,...
52From 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...
53From 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...
54From 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...
55From George Washington to La Luzerne, 25 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellys favor of the 18th from Annapolis covering a letter from the Marqs de la Fayette, for the trouble of doing which be pleased to accept my thanks. I regret exceedingly that the weather and roads shou’d have deprived me of the honor of seeing you at my retreat—I shall look however, with pleasure for your return to Annapolis, when I shall expect the fulfilment...
56From 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...
57From 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...
58From 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...
59From 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...
60From George Washington to La Luzerne, 5 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
It was not until Capt: Hardwine deliver’d the Claret your Excellency was so obliging as to spare me, that I had the least knowledge of its being sent. In consequence of your kind offer to furnish me with three hogsheads, I wrote to Colo. Tilghman (at Baltimore) requesting him to receive & forward it to me; & obtained for answer, that before Your Excellys order had reached your Agent at that...
61From 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...
62From 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...
63From 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...
64From George Washington to La Luzerne, 10 September 1791 (Washington Papers)
In acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 15 of May, which reached me but a few days ago, I cannot forbear to express the sensibility with which I receive those warm effusions of personal attachment and respectful remembrance which are contained in it. and at the same time I beg you will be assured that I reciprocate them with truth and sincerity. As the happiness of the french Nation...
65From George Washington to La Luzerne, 10 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
Early in May last, I had the pleasure of addressing a letter to you, My dear Marquis, in which I dwelt pretty copiously on the state of affairs in this country at that time. Since then nothing very remarkable has occurred. The two great questions of funding the debt & fixing the seat of the government have been agitated, as was natural, with a good deal of warmth as well as ability. These were...
66From 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...
67From 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...
68From George Washington to La Luzerne, 20 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
The letter your Excellency did me the honor to write in the moment of your departure from this Country, conferred the highest honor upon me, & is not more flattering to my vanity, than it is productive of my gratitude. I shall ever reflect with pleasure Sir, on the readiness with which your communications to me have been made; & the dispatch & ability with which you have conducted business in...
69From George Washington to La Luzerne, 28 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
As not any thing which is interesting to your happiness and glory can be indifferent to me, I have a sincere pleasure in congratulating you on your appointment as Ambassador from the most Christien King to the Court of London. Altho your Excellency may possibly have had some knowledge of Mr Barlow (the gentleman who will put this letter into your hands and of whom it is recommendatory) during...
70From 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...