To George Washington from William Livingston, 18 June 1780
From William Livingston
Trenton [N.J.] 18 June 1780
Dear Sir
I have the following Intelligence from Black point1 which I suppose may be depended upon that Admiral Arbuthnot & three frigates arrived at the hook the day before yesterday—yesterday about 65 sail more, & great part within the Hook.
I just now have the pleasure of dining with Mrs Washington at Col. Cox’s2—and have the Honour to be with the greatest respect Dr Sir your Excellency’s most humble ser.
Wil: Livingston
ALS, DLC:GW.
GW replied to Livingston on 20 June from headquarters at Springfield: “I yesterday recd your Excellency’s favr of the 18th—The intelligence which you were pleased to communicate to me, had been previously transmitted to me by Genl Forman from Monmouth. I have not yet learned whether Sir Henry Clinton came with the Fleet or whether any or what number of troops were on board.
“The enemy remain in the same position upon the point” (LS, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, NNGL; see also David Forman’s second letter to GW, 17 June).
1. Black Point, in Monmouth County, N.J., was located two miles south of Sandy Hook on the southern shore of the Navesink River estuary.
2. Martha Washington had left Morristown for Mount Vernon (see Joseph Reed to GW, 20 and 22 June, and John Mitchell to GW, 26 June).