From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 21 October 1778
To Major General William Heath
Head Quarters Fredericksbg 21st October 1778
Dear Sir
Since I wrote to you this morning the inclosed Resolve of Congress came to my hands. As Sir Henry Clinton never complied with the request of granting passports for the transportation of Flour by Water it becomes necessary that the Convention troops should, without loss of time, be put in motion for Charlotteville in Virginia agreeable to the order of Congress.1 You will be pleased to signify this to General Phillips immediately upon the receipt.
I know of no way of conveying the troops to the place of their destination but by calling upon the several States thro’ which they are to pass for a proper guard of Militia and Carriages sufficient to transport their Baggage. You will therefore apply to the State of Massachusets for the number necessary, and when you have fixed the time of march and Route, inform Governor Trumbull that he may be ready to receive them upon the Borders of Connecticut. I shall give him previous notice that he may be prepared for such an event.2 Be pleased to inform me likewise when the troops leave their present Quarters that I may make application to the Governors of New York, New Jersey &ca for an Escort. I am Dear Sir Your most obt Servt
Go: Washington
LS, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, MHi: Heath Papers; Df, DLC:GW; copy (extract), Ct: Trumbull Papers; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The extract in the Trumbull Papers consists of the second paragraph.
1. GW enclosed a copy of Congress’s act of 16 Oct. concerning the removal of the Convention Army to Charlottesville, Va., a copy of which Henry Laurens had enclosed in his letter to GW of that date (see also , 12:1016). For Congress’s resolutions of 11 Sept. requesting British passports to enable American vessels to bring provisions and fuel to Boston for its use, see Henry Laurens to GW, 12 Sept.; see also , 12:901–2, and GW to Henry Clinton, 16 September.