From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 27 March 1780

To Samuel Huntington

Head Quarters Morris Town 27th March 1780

Sir,

In the present situation of Southern affairs much will no doubt depend on the having an able Engineer in that Quarter. I have a very good opinion of the Gentleman now there in this line, but the confidence I have in General Du Portails abilities makes me think his presence would be of the greatest utility. Though we may sensibly feel the want of him here should any active operation commence; yet upon the whole I should be willing to spare him were there a probability of his arriving in time. I have no doubt from the season and from every other circumstance that General Clinton will press the enterprise with all the vigor and dispatch in his power; but the loss of his horses may necessarily retard his progress.1 I beg leave to submit to Congress the propriety of sending General Du Portail, which they will be best able to determine from the general complexion of the advices they have received.2 As he is in Philadelphia their orders immediately to him will prevent delay. In case of his going it will be of course necessary to bear his expences and furnish him with the means of expedition, and it were to be wished he may receive his orders as soon as possible. I have the honor to be With the greatest respect Yr Excellencys Most Obet & hum. servant

Go: Washington

LS, in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, enclosed with GW to Duportail, this date, DNA:PCC, item 152; Df, DLC:GW; copy, DNA:PCC, item 169; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. Congress read GW’s letter on 29 March and passed a resolution directing Brigadier General Duportail “to repair, with all possible despatch, to the southern army, and put himself under General Lincoln, or the commanding officer in the southern department” (JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 16:316; see also Huntington to Benjamin Lincoln and to John Rutledge, both 31 March, in Smith, Letters of Delegates description begins Paul H. Smith et al., eds. Letters of Delegates to Congress, 1774–1789. 26 vols. Washington, D.C., 1976–2000. description ends , 14:557–58). Congress also referred to the Board of Treasury the portions of GW’s letter that related to money for Duportail (see JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 16:316).

1. For GW’s belief that the British had lost their horses while sailing south from New York, see Council of War, this date; see also John Mathews to GW, 24 March.

2. See GW to Duportail, this date, and Duportail to GW, 2 April.

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Source Project: Washington Papers
Title: From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 27 March 1780
Author: Washington, George
Recipient: Huntington, Samuel
Date: 27 March 1780

Reference

Cite as: “From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 27 March 1780,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-25-02-0129. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 25, 10 March–12 May 1780, ed. William M. Ferraro. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2017, pp. 196–197.]

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