1. For the dismissal of the New York and Massachusetts militia, see GW to George Clinton, 16 Nov., and to John Fellows, same date, found at Fellows to GW, 10 Nov., n.5. Vice Admiral d’Estaing had decided not to come north with his French fleet after being defeated at Savannah on 9 October. His decision led GW to abandon preparations for combined American and French operations (see Planning for an Allied Attack on New York, c.3–7 Oct., editorial note; Samuel Huntington to GW, 10 Nov.; and GW to Huntington, 20 and 24 Nov.).

2. See GW to Livingston, 4 Oct., found at GW to Clinton, same date, source note.

3. GW wrote similar letters from West Point on this date to the Massachusetts president and council, and to Joseph Reed, president of the Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council. His letter to the Massachusetts president and council reads: “The moment I was informed that the unexpected delays and difficulties which His Excellency the Count D’Estaing had met with to the Southward, had rendered a cooperation in this quarter impracticable, I wrote to Brigadier Genl Fellows commanding the Militia of the State of Massachussetts, ordered out in consequence of my requisition of the 4th Ulto to dismiss them, after making up their Pay Rolls for the time which they had been in service. While I regret that circumstances would not admit of the prosecution of the plan for which this Body of Men were assembled, I cannot but express my thanks to the State for their cheerful concurrence with my several requisitions while the matter was in agitation” (LS, in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, M-Ar; Df, DLC:GW; see also GW to Jeremiah Powell, 4 Oct., found at GW to Clinton, same date, source note. A notation on the LS indicates that the Massachusetts Council read the letter on 2 Dec.).

GW’s letter to Reed reads: “The moment I was informed that the unexpected delays and difficulties which his Excellency the Count D’Estaing had met with to the Southward, had rendered a cooperation in this quarter impracticable, I dismissed the Militia of the States of New York and Massachusetts, the only two which had been assembled at their places of rendezvous—Although the number of men required from the State of Pennsylvania, by mine of the 4th Ulto, have never been drawn together, yet possibly they may be held in such a situation as to be attended with some inconveniences. I hope this is not the case but should it be so, I am to desire your Excellency to look upon yourself at liberty to discharge them finally, as all prospects of the expected cooperation are at an end.

“I cannot dismiss this subject without returning my thanks to the State for the zeal which they manifested upon the occasion, and to your Excellency for the personal share which you had determined to take in the enterprise” (LS [facsimile], in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, Goodspeed’s, Flying Quill, May 1948, item 58; Df, DLC:GW; copy, NHi: Reed Papers; Varick transcript, DLC:GW; see also GW to Reed, 4 Oct., found at GW to Clinton, same date, source note, and GW to Reed, 22 Oct.). For acknowledgement of GW’s letter to Reed of 22 Nov., see Reed to GW, 22 Dec., and Pa. Col. Records, description begins Colonial Records of Pennsylvania. 16 vols. Harrisburg, 1840–53. description ends 12:204.