1From George Washington to Rochambeau, 10 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
The little anecdote which you recall to mind, my dear Count, of your Countrymen at Rhode Island who burnt their mouths with the hot soup, while mine waited leisurly for it to cool, perhaps, when politically applied in the manner you have done, has not less truth than pleasantry in its resemblance of national characters. But if there shall be no worse consequence resulting from too great...
2From George Washington to Rochambeau, 13 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with the receipt of your letters of the 31st of January and 17th of February last—and I should have had the pleasure to address you sooner, but a tedious indisposition, and very numerous avocations, since my recovery, have so entirely engaged my time as to leave me but very little, or no leisure for the agreeable duties of friendship. I embrace the obliging offer of His...
3From George Washington to Rochambeau, 29 January 1789 (Washington Papers)
By some unusual delay in the conveyance of your kind letter dated the 15th of June last, I had not the satisfaction of receiving it before this time. As I am always happy in hearing of your prosperity, I would not defer expressing my obligations, by the first occasion. I had long Judged from the different public accounts I had seen, relative to the affairs of France, that you were nearly in...
4From George Washington to Rochambeau, 28 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have Just received the letter which you did me the honor to write to me on the 18th of January; and am sorry to learn that the Count de Grasse, our gallant coadjutor in the capture of Cornwallis, is no more. yet his death is not, perhaps, so much to be deplored as his latter days were to be pitied. It seemed as if an unfortunate and unrelenting destiny pursued him, to distroy the enjoyment...
5From George Washington to Rochambeau, 8 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your letters of the 28th of June 1786 & 12th of may 1787. In the former you mentinon your having just returned from Holland and were so obliging as to give me an account of the state of political affairs in that Country. Since the time of your writing their intestine disputes have been brought to a crisis and appear to have terminated rather against the Patriots; What changes may...
6From George Washington to Rochambeau, 31 July 1786 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with the two letters you were pleased to write to me in the months of Jany and March last: I need scarcely tell you that your communications always afford me the sincerest gratification—because they are always replete with the most friendly sentiments—because they insensibly bring to remembrance some circumstances of that pleasing & important period we so happily...
7From George Washington to Rochambeau, 1 December 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 2d of June, which you had the goodness to write to me at the moment of taking leave of the venerable Doctr Franklin, now lyes before me; and I read the renewed assurances of your friendship with sentiments of gratitude and pleasure, short of nothing but the satisfaction I should feel at seeing you; and the recollection of the hours, in which, toiling together, we formed our...
8From George Washington to Rochambeau, 7 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor to address you last, I have been favored with your letters of the 9th of Septr and 24th of Feby. The first enclosing a list of the new promotions, and the additional members of the Society of the Cincinnati as consented by the King; for which I thank you, as it will enable me to give answers to those Gentlemen who, unacquainted I presume, with his Majesty’s pleasure, are...
9From George Washington to Rochambeau, 20 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 16th of June by the Marquis de la Fayette, who arrived here three days ago—and for your other letter of the 4th of May which, also came safe, permit me to offer you my sincere congratulations on your appointment to the Government of Picardy. It is an honorable testimony of the approving smiles of your Prince, & a just reward for your Services & merit. Should...
10From George Washington to Rochambeau, 17 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
From the official letters and other proceedings of the general meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati, held at this place, and of which you have copies; you will obtain a thorough knowledge of what the Society have been doing, and the ground upon which it was done; to enter therefore into a further detail of the matter, in this letter, would be mere repetition—alike troublesome &...
11Appendix IV: To Rochambeau, 15 May (Washington Papers)
The letters with which you have honored the society of the Cincinnati have been read with attention, and the several subjects regarded with the most respectful consideration. It is a circumstance pleasing to the society that the Count De Rochambeau has so willingly become a member and interested himself in its reputation. The very liberal subscriptions made by the gentlemen of the french army...
12From George Washington to Rochambeau, 1 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Having resigned my public trust, and with it all my public cares into the hands of Congress; I now address myself to you in the character of a private Citizen on the banks of the Potomack, to which I have been retired (fast locked in Frost and Snow) since Christmas Eve. The tranquil walks of domestic life are now unfolding to my view; & promise a rich harvest of pleasing contemplation—in which...
13From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 9 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to introduce to the honor of your acquaintance Doctr Witherspoon president of the College in New Jersey, & formerly member of Congress. a Gentleman whose abilities exerted in favour of America, have obtained him much credit & esteem. Any civilities you may have it in your power to shew him whilst in France, will greatly oblige Dr Sir Yrs &ca DLC : Papers of George Washington.
14From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 1 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, written about a fortnight ago, and put into the hands of General Duportail to be conveyed to you, I have been honored with your favor the 24th of April from Paris—Be assured, My dear Sir, that these repeated assurances of your friendship, and frequent of your affection for me are pleasingly grateful and make a deep impression on my Mind. Could I so far flatter my vanity as to...
15From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 15 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
With what words, My dear Count, shall I express to you the sensibility of a heart which you have warmed by the flattering sentiments that are conveyed in your Letters of the 14 of April, and 13th of July. Your Sovereign has a claim to my highest admiration, respect & veneration. Your Nation is entitled to all my gratitude—and those individuals of it who have been my Companions in War to my...
16From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 10 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
It must, my dear Count, have been a pleasing event to you, to have landed on your native shore, crowned with Laurels after a perilous passage and the hazard of being taken—and to have received as I am perswaded you must have done the Smiles of a wise & generous Prince. On these happy events I sincerely congratulate you. To the generous aids of your Nation, & the bravery of its Sons, is to be...
17From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 29 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
It is with infinite satisfaction I embrace the earliest opportunity of sending to Philadelphia the Cannon which Congress were pleased to present to your Excellency in testimony of their Sense of the illustrious part you bore in the capture of the British Army under Lord Cornwallis at York in Virginia. The Carriages will follow by another Conveyance; but as they were not quite ready, I could...
18From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 14 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I cannot, My dear Genl, permit you to depart from this Country without repeating to you the high sense I entertain of the Services you have rendered America by the constant attention which you have paid to the Interests of it. By the exact order & discipline of the Corps under your command—and your readiness, at all times, to give facility to every measure which the force of the Combined...
19From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 5 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 30th ulto. I sincerely regret the disappointment of the Allies before Gibralter—more especially as it will serve to keep alive the spirits of the English. I enclose you the Copy of a letter which I recd last Night from the president of Congress—By this it appears that the evacuation of Charles town would take place as soon as the...
20From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 25 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of your Excellency’s Letter of the 22nd—The Packet for the Minister was immediately forwarded. We have yet no advices directly from Charles Town. I inclose your Excellency some of the latest New York and Philadelphia Papers. After you have read them be pleased to forward them to the Admiral—By the first it appears that Lord Howe’s Fleet had met with a severe gale of Wind,...
21From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 20 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 9 t h 13 t h and 15 t h instants—We have yet no official accounts of the evacuation of Charles town, but there are a variety of reasons for believing that it has taken place. I never could learn that any troops embarked on board the Fleet that sailed the 26 t h of last month. By information from New York, the remainder of the British...
22From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 12 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s letter from Bolton in due time. The packet for the Minister of France which accompanied it was forwarded immediately. We have no intelligence of the actual evacuation of Charles town, but from some circumstances which have appeared in the New York Paper of the 5th instant, I think it probable that that event has taken place. The moment I receive...
23From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 3 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of the 30th ulto from Hartford. In my last I informed your Excellency that 14 ships of the Line and 7 Frigates had sailed the 26th ulto from New York. I have not yet heard whether the remainder have sailed—neither have I received any intelligence respecting the evacuation of Charlestown—Your Excellency may be assured I shall give you instant information...
24From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 30 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Letter to the Marquis De Vaudreiul is left under a flying Seal for your Excellency’s Inspection—Information from Genl For-man of 24th & 26th instants part of British fleet Sailed—It contains the Intelligence which I have received from N. York respecting the Movement of the British fleet, part of which sailed the 26th inst. I have the Honor to be. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
25From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 25 October 1782 (Washington Papers)
The packet arrived at New York last Monday—Nothing has yet transpired but what is contained in the inclosed Paper—I likewise inclose your Excellency an extract from the latest intelligence which I have received from New York, but you will observe that it is prior to the arrival of the Packet—Accounts by Deserters confirm the intended division of the British Fleet. I beg the favor of your...
26From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 29 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I did myself the honor to call at your Excellency’s Quarters this morning upon my return from an excursion as far as our old Camp at Philipsburg, but had not the pleasure of finding you at home—I wished to have communicated to you personally my observations upon the State of Forage in that part of the Country and the reasons which induce me to think a change of position may be attended with...
27From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellency’s request I have written to Governor Hancock to call out the Militia in the neighbourhood of Boston should the enemy threaten the Fleet under the command of the Marquis de Vaudreuil. I have the honor to be most sincerely yr Excellency’s obt and hble servt. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
28From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 13 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Anticipating with much pleasure, your near Approach, I send Colo. Tilghman one of my Aides D. Camp, to meet & attend your Excellency to my Quarters, where, I presume you will be assured, that I shall embrace you with the highest Satisfaction. With much Regard & Esteem I am Dear Sir Your Excellency’s Most Obdt St DLC : Papers of George Washington.
29From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 10 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I had last evening the honor of receiving your Excellencys favor of the 7th from Princetown containing the agreeable intelligence of your approach. I have immediately forwarded your letter to Monsr de la Tombe by our Chain of Expresses. I have constantly kept the Marquis de Vaudreuil advised of Admiral Pigots motions, from the first information of his arrival upon these Coasts to his arrival...
30From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 3 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
I had the pleasure to receive your Excellencys Letter of the 23d ulto at this place, where the American Army took their Encampment on the 31st. I am perfectly satisfied with the Route your Excellency has resolved to take in marchg your Army to the North River—and wish you to pursue it in the Mode that is most agreeable to yourself. I am glad to find you mention nothing of Your Fever & Ague—I...
31From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 13th by Mr Lauberdiere who made so much dispatch that he delivered it last night about 11 o’clock. Were we certain that a pacification had advanced so far as Your Excellency thinks it has, or could we be assured that the British Ministry were really sincere in their offers which have been communicated thro’ their Commander in Chief Sir...
32From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 11 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your Excellency Letter by Genll de Choisey inclosing Copies of your Correspondence with the Marquis de Vaudruiel on the subject of his proposed Expedition, and requesting my opinion upon that enterprize, to be transmitted to the Marquis on his arrival at Boston. A Copy of my Letter to the Marquis de Vaudruiel, which is inclosed, will shew your Excellency my...
33From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 4 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I ask you ten thousand pardons for breaking the Seal of the Inclosed Letter, to your Address. It was put into my hands with other dispatches, and was opened before I discovered the mistake—It happened too, in the moment I was expecting Letters from Sir Guy Carleton. I have the honor to be with Sentiments of the most perfect esteem & regard Yr Excellys Most Obt Servt P.S. The Enemy were about...
34From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 3 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to my promise I now inclose to your Excellency the Route by Coriell’s Ferry—the particular Stages & Distances I have noted, from which you will form your own Estimation for each Days march. I was yesterday favored with a Philadelphia paper of the 30th of July, wch mentions the Arrival of 13 Ships of the Line 2 frigates & a Cat under Comd of Monr Va u dreuil at the Capes of...
35From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
In a Letter which I have this Day received from the Secretary at War, in the followg paragraph—"When our Troops retired from York Town in Virginia, a large Quantity of Ordnance & Ordnance Stores were left for the Use of the French Troops, who were to occupy that post—As the french Troops have left Virginia, I suppose our Artillery & Stores will be no longer wanted, if they are not, I think it...
36From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
The french corps having staid at Williamsburgh, untill the first of July, without any plan of campaign being received from France, and none of the officers who had been sent to take his majesty’s orders being returned, and the time fit for the operations being so much advanced, it has been necessary to put the french corps in motion, having beforehand consulted the conjectures and the greatest...
37From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 24 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have looked with anxious impatience my dear count, for those dispatches from your court, the arrival of which to you was to be the moment of our interview at Phila. I have been in such dayly expectation of this event that I have not Ventured more than fifteen miles from this place Lest your summons should arrive here in my absence. the season of operating in this quarter is flying away...
38From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 24 June 1782 (Washington Papers)
At the moment of sending off the inclosed Letter to you of this same date, Your favor of the 8th of this Month, which had been long on the way came to hand. Your Idea of not moving the French Troops, in our present state of anxious uncertainty, is quite coincident with mine; but it is left entirely to your Judgment to maintain or alter that opinion as you may find necessary on further...
39From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 28 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor of your Letter of the 13th of this Mo. Since the Information I conveyed to your Excellency, by the Baron Closen, the Amusement of peace held out by our Enemies has been much augmented by the Arrival of Sir Guy Carleton in N. York, who enounces himself as Commander in Chief in America—with powers of Conciliation to these States—pleasg as their first prospect might have been,...
40From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 5 May 1782 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 20th of Apl by Baron Closen arrived at my Quarters last Evening. If the Enemy ever had an intention to evacuate Charles Town, that Idea, I believe is now given up—Great revolutions in the British Councils have lately taken place—the particulars which are brought by the March Packet, will be conveyed to you by the inclosed New York Gazette which I send for your...
41From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 23 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored by your Excellency’s Letter of the 6th instant—and thank you for the Communication of Genl Green’s of the 10th ulto—I think he need not be much alarmed on Account of the movement of the Legion—from the present Situation of the Enemy, I am persuaded no Reinforcement will be sent from N. York to Carolina. I am equally impatient with your Excellency, for Intelligence from...
42From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 19 March 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellencys favor of the 27th ulto. Under present appearances I think Genl de Choissy should not move beyond Charlotte Court House—There are several reasons to induce a belief that the enemy mean to evacuate south Carolina and Georgia—If such an event is to take place we must soon know it. I requested His Excellency the Minister of France to inform you that...
43From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 23 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your Excellencys favor of the 10th Inst. I am extremely sorry to hear of the loss at the Diligente—The Chevalier Clonard appears to have done every thing that could have been expected from an active intelligent Officer. In a former Letter I expressed my approbation of the exchange of a number of the British Convalescents left a Gloucester for those taken in the...
44From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 21 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 5th instant, to which, my letters of the 9th and 12th of this month will have served for an answer. In my letters of the 14th of January and 9th of February, I requested the favor of your Excellency to negotiate the exchange of Brigr Genl Lord Rawdon for Brigr Genl Moultrie. I since find, that Gentleman has been exchanged, by composition,...
45From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 12 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
In my letter to your Excellency of the 10th of December last, I requested you to grant passports upon the application of David Ross Esqr. for any Vessells which might be laden with Tobacco for the payment of Goods purchased of the British Merchants at York Town. It has been since suggested, that Passports of Merchandize of every kind, if granted by any other power than that of Congress or...
46From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 9 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellencys favors of the 12th and 22d ulto the last inclosing Copies of General Greene’s letter to you and your answer—After informing you, that I concur with you in opinion, that it would not be politic, at this moment, to move a detachment from your main Body to the southward, permit me to assure you that I very sensibly feel your goodness in determining to...
47From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive Your Excellencys Letter of the 8th and can assure you nothing on my part shall be wanting to induce Congress & the States to make as great preparations as possible for a combined operation & to improve every aid His Most Christian Majesty may be pleased to afford to the best advantage. It was with extreme Satisfaction I heard the joyful News of the birth of a...
48From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 14 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the honor to transmit your Excellency a packet which I received under a flying Seal from Sir Henry Clinton. I took the liberty to mention to Colo. Ternant that his exchange was compleated. Captains Bert and le Brun are I believe at Charlottville with Colo. Armand. Should your Excellency incline to exchange Lord Rawdon for any American Officer, I would wish you to insist upon his...
49From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 8 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
In my last I barely acknowledged the Rect of your Excellency’s favr of the 18th of Decemr. I have since been honored with that of the 24th. I am fearful that the Expresses between this place and Williamsburg are badly regulated, and I shall upon the return of the Quarter Master Genl from the North River endeavour to have things put in better train. I am extremely sorry to hear of the loss of...
50From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 31 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
My last to Your Excellency was on the 16th inst. I have since that received information that an embarkation has taken place at New York—It is said to consist of three British Regiments and a detachment of Hessian Grenadiers. They may have sailed by this time, but of this I have no certain accounts. They are to be convoyed by two Ships of the Line and two or three Frigates. It is conjectured...