From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 7 November 1778
To Major General Stirling
Head Quarters Fredericksburg [N.Y.] Novr 7th 1778
My Lord,
I have to acknowledge your favors of the 31st Ulto the 1st 3d & 4th Inst. with their several inclosures.1
As your Lordship observes, the intelligence from the City must now become more important, since the sailing of so large an Embarkation of Troops—and will serve to determine in a great measure whether a complete evacuation of the place is intended. I need not pray your attention, and am, My Lord Your Lordships Most Obet Servant
Go: Washington
P.S. You will be pleased to forward the inclosed letters.2
LS, in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, CSmH; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Stirling’s note to GW of 4 Nov., written at Elizabeth, N.J., reads: “The Sailing of the fleet is Confirmed by two Messengers from the Hook; Mr Marriner who was nearest to them Says four of them were two Deckers and four frigates, they have now a very fine Wind to take them off the Coast” (DLC:GW).
2. Meade wrote the following postscript on the draft before striking it out: “I shall esteem it a favor if you’d procure me one of Dollands best Pocket Glasses, about the size of your own will suit, & if you can procure for the present, the amount in silver to pay for it, when I know the price I will repay it in kind.” The enclosed letters have not been identified.