To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 30 April 1778
From Henry Laurens
York Town 30th April 1778
Sir
I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency the day before yesterday by Sharp.
This bearer is dispatched by special order of Congress to return with the bundle of Papers, sent to Head Quarters some time ago by the Committee appointed to collect Evidence &ca on the loss of Tyconderoga & Mount Independence which Your Excellency will be pleased to deliver to him.1 I have the honor to be With the highest Respect & Esteem Sir Your Excellency’s Obedient & most humble servant
Henry Laurens, President of Congress.
ALS, DLC:GW; LB, DNA:PCC, item 13. A notation on the letter-book copy indicates this letter was carried “by [Richard] Ross.”
1. Laurens is referring to the documents transmitted with the Continental Congress evacuation committee’s letter to GW of 7 Feb. 1778. The “special order” undoubtedly arose out of the 29 April resolution appointing a new committee “to examine the evidence collected, and state charges against the general officers who were in the northern department when Ticonderoga and Mount Independence were evacuated” (, 10:403). GW replied to Laurens on 1 May, “In compliance with your request, contained in your Letter of the 30th Ulto, I have delivered the Bundle of papers respecting the loss of Ticonderoga &c. transmitted me some time ago, which I hope will get safe to hand” (DNA:PCC, item 152).