From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 16 August 1778
To Major General John Sullivan
Head Qrs White plains August 16th 1778
dear sir
On Thursday1 I received your favor of the 10th Instant, advising of your descent on Rhode-Island—of the arrival of the British fleet & of Count D’Estaing’s pursuing them. Since this I have not had a single tittle of intelligence on the subject of your operations—and of course I have been in a disagreable state of suspence and anxiety. I must earnestly request that you will be more frequent in your advices. It is material for me to know and extremely satisfactory what you are doing or not doing. I trust Count D’Estaing has got into port again—and unless he was fortunate enough to overhaul Admiral Howe’s Squadron and give them a drubbing, I consider their appearance as a very unlucky event. I am Dr sir with great regard & esteem Your Most Obedt servant
Go: Washington
P.S. The Letters which accompany this, you will dispose of agreable to their addresses. Those for Count D’Estaing you will forward to him immediately.2
Df, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. The preceding Thursday was 13 August.
2. These letters have not been identified.