To George Washington from Major General Lafayette, 25 July 1778
From Major General Lafayette
Stratfort [Conn.]
25 july at seven o’clock in the morning
dear General
inclos’d I have the honor to send you a letter from General Sullivan which I took the liberty to oppen1—if the suppos’d expedition against providence has taken place we can not Come up time enough as to prevent it—but I am Rather inclin’d to believe we wi’ll find the ennemy fortifying themselves, and therefore the Sooner we may begin our visit the better it will be.
I have found general Varnum yesterday at this place, who Says we could march much faster than we will do, was it not on account of provisions which ca’nt come up with us—there were no Magazines prepar’d principally for the article of flour—the provisions must follow upon oxen-teams—however general Varnum has sent a head to take every precaution in his power, for facilitating our journey—if the baggage embarass us we’ll leave it behind—we are much Retard’d by the ferrys, and the best way will be to separate the brigades—with the highest respect I have the honor to be dear General Your most obedient Servant
the Marquis de lafayette
ALS, PEL. After the war, Lafayette edited this and other letters he wrote to GW during the war, sometimes altering, inserting, or omitting words to clarify meaning and sometimes obliterating entire passages. The original text has been restored where possible.