George Washington Papers

From George Washington to Colonel Goose Van Schaick, 9 June 1779

To Colonel Goose Van Schaick

Smiths Tavern in the Clove [N.Y.] June 9th 1779

Sir

This will be delivered you by Lieut. Harbenbergh,1 who has promised me to make another excursion with a view to explore the grounds well between the Mahawk & grand river2—I have therefore to request you will furnish him with a party of men for that purpose, and afford him such other aid as may be necessary to carry him through with it—He will make his report to you & I beg it may be transmitted without delay & unknown to others3—He may go out under the idea of a scout. Yrs &c.

G. W—

Df, in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1. GW explained in his letter to Philip Schuyler of this date how he had entrusted to Lt. Abraham Hardenbergh the letter actually sent to Van Schaick, which has not been found.

2. The Grand River flows into Lake Erie from Canada about forty miles southwest of Fort Niagara. For an account of Hardenbergh’s first scouting expedition, undertaken with a party under the command of Lt. Thomas McClellan, see the report of that officer, dated 30 April, in Hastings and Holden, Clinton Papers, description begins Hugh Hastings and J. A. Holden, eds. Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, 1777–1795, 1801–1804. 10 vols. 1899–1914. Reprint. New York, 1973. description ends 4:804–6; see also Philip Schuyler to GW, 10 May, n.1.

3. See Van Schaick to GW, 15 July, and GW to Van Schaick, 22 July.

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    Washington Papers
    Title
    From George Washington to Colonel Goose Van Schaick, 9 June 1779
    Author
    Washington, George
    Recipient
    Van Schaick, Goose
    Date
    9 June 1779

    Reference

    Cite as
    “From George Washington to Colonel Goose Van Schaick, 9 June 1779,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-21-02-0105. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 21, 1 June–31 July 1779, ed. William M. Ferraro. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2012, p. 118.]

    More between these correspondents