From George Washington to Major General William Heath, 2 June 1780
To Major General William Heath
Head Quarters Morris Town 2d June 1780
Dear Sir
It is expected that the fleet of our Ally will in the first instance touch at Rhode Island for the purpose of landing their sick and supernumerary Stores and to meet the intelligence necessary to direct their operations. I have already sent forward Doctor Craik to take up proper Houses for Hospitals and to make some previous arrangements in that department:1 But as I apprehend the French General and Admiral will upon their arrival want the advice and assistance of a person of discretion and judgment and acquainted with the Country, I must request you to repair immediately to providence, and upon their arrival present yourself to them, letting them know that they may command your services.
I would wish you to endeavour, in conjunction with the Governor, to establish a Market between the Fleet and Army and Country, and be careful that our Allies are not imposed upon in the prices of Articles which they may find necessary. This is a point recommended in the plan drawn up by the Ministry of France,2 and which policy and generosity directs should be strictly attended to.3 I am with great Esteem Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt
Go: Washington
LS, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, MHi: Heath Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. See GW to James Craik, 24 May.
2. GW is referring to article seven of the instructions given to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, commander of the French expeditionary army, by the French minister of war. Major General Lafayette apparently had shown Washington a copy of these instructions or made him aware of their contents. Article seven stated in part that as Congress and GW had been made aware of Rochambeau’s arrival in advance, the French king expected that orders would be given to make fresh provisions available to the French forces in a location near their point of debarkation (see Alexandre-Marie-Léonor de Saint-Mauris, prince de Montbarey to Rochambeau, 1 March 1780 [in French], DLC:GW).
3. At this point on the draft, Tilghman, who also penned that document, wrote: “You will by the next opportunity receive a letter from the Marquis de la Fayette introducing you to Lieut. Genl Count de Rochambeau and Admiral Ternay.” Lafayette’s letter to Heath introducing Rochambeau and Ternay has not been identified, but see Lafayette to Heath, 11 June, in , 3:53–56.