From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel John Taylor, 12 August 1779
To Lieutenant Colonel John Taylor
West-point Augt 12th 79.
Sir,
Your favor of the 7th came to my hands about an hour ago by Mr Garrison1 with whom I have had a good deal of conversation and think his scheme, if it can be brought to bear, is a very good one—He will relate to you the substance of our discourse, which will save me a recital of it. I have only to request the favor of you to give it yr aid and that you will be so good as to fix a compensation (reasonable & just) to the services of the Parties who become the instruments of this intelligence.2 With esteem & regard I am Sir Yr most Obedt Sert
Go: Washington
ADfS, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. This letter has not been found.
2. Garrison’s proposal appears to have dealt with sending spies into Staten Island, N.Y., and New York City (see Taylor to GW, 20 July; GW to Taylor, 27 July, 8 and 19 Sept., and 10 Oct.; see also GW to Henry Lee, Jr., 13 Sept.).