From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 24 March 1776
To Major General Artemas Ward
Cambridge Mar. 24th 1776.
Sir,
I shall be obliged to you to send the Inclosed Letter to Colo. Quincy, either to Night, or early in the morning.1 As these favourable Winds do not waft the fleet from Nantasket, my Suspicion’s are more and more roused. I wish therefore the Fire Rafts talkd of by Colo. Tupper, could be attempted in a Windy, or dark Night, I think this would discover their designs if no other good effect resulted from it.2 I am Yr Most Obedt Servt
Go: Washington
ALS, MHi: Ward Papers.
2. On 26 Mar. 1776 William Palfrey wrote Ward: “The General Commands me to acquaint you that if you should be perfectly satisfied the Fleet are about to depart, he is indifferent whether Colo. Tupper’s scheme is put into Execution or not, upon the whole he would rather it should not be, as it may induce them to commit such mischief on their departure as would not be compensated by any advantage that might accrue from the execution of Colo. Tupper’s plan” (MHi: Ward Papers). See also Josiah Quincy to GW, 25–26 Mar. 1776.