To George Washington from Major General John Sullivan, 1 July 1779
From Major General John Sullivan
[Wyoming, Pa., 1 July 1779]
Extract of a letter from General Sullivan dated Wioming July the 1st 1779.
“I have the honor to inclose your Excellency an extract from General Clinton’s letter of the 27th instant, assuring me of his great forwardness.1 This letter was accompanied by another from Mr Deane to General Clinton, and by General Haldimands speech to the Oneidas copies of which I do myself the honor likewise to transmit you. Your Excellency will discover from the tenor of General Haldimand’s address, that we have little reason to apprehend any further opposition, than what his Indian allies may think proper to make, as he does not mention a singular regular in his threats to the Oneidas.2 The necessity I am under of waiting for the last division of boats laden with Commissary stores is the only cause of delay with me at present. This will soon be removed as I have reason to conclude they are now on their passage escorted by Hubleys Regiment.3 Immediately on their arrival I shall take up my line of March.”4
Jn’o. Sullivan
L (extract), in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, enclosed in GW to John Jay, 15 Aug. 1779, DNA:PCC, item 166; copy, DNA:PCC, item 169.
1. The enclosed extract from Brig. Gen. James Clinton to Sullivan, 27 June, has not been identified, but that letter apparently was described in the journal entry for 28 June of Maj. James Norris of the 3d New Hampshire Regiment, then at Wyoming: “Genl Sullivan recd a Letter from Genl Clinton, dated Schoharra, advising that he was furnished with 3 Months Provissions, 1700 effective men with him present, & 300 more at another post ready to join him, & was waiting his Commands.—Same Letter adds that he had taken & hanged a British Officer, a Spy, who was going from Butlers Army to N York” ( 225).
2. The enclosed letter from James Deane to Clinton has not been identified. For a transcription of Maj. Gen. Frederick Haldimand’s speech to the Oneidas, see Philip Schuyler to GW, 7 July, n.1. Major Norris wrote in his journal entry for 28 June that by an “Express we learn from Genl. Clinton that the Oneida tribe of Indians had recd a Letter from Genl. Haldiman, Governor of Quebec, charging them with a breach of faith, & breathing out threatenings against them, if they did not declare in favor of Britain” ( 225).
3. See Sullivan to GW, 29 June, and n.3 to that document.
4. For the departure of Sullivan’s expedition from Wyoming on 31 July, see Sullivan to GW, 30 July.