To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 11 July 1780
From Major General William Heath
Providence July 11th 1780
Dear General—
A little before one o’Clock this morning an express arrived here from newport with advice that yesterday afternoon the long expected fleet of our illustrious Ally appeared off that place—that the Signals were all made and the fleet Standing in to the harbour when he was Sent off.1 I thought it my duty to give your Excellency this instant notice—As Soon as a particular Account can be obtained it shall be transmitted. I have the honor to be With the greatest respect Your Excellency’s Most obedient Servt
W. Heath
LS, DLC:GW; ADfS, MHi: Heath Papers. GW acknowledged this letter when he wrote Heath on 15 July.
French war commissary Corny also wrote GW from Providence on this date at “one o clock in the Morning”: “I have the honor to inform your Excellency, that the french fleet Was off Newport at six o Clock Last night. I présume it is at this time, in the harbour. I shall go there in a few hours” (ALS, MH). GW replied to Corny on 15 July.
1. French army captain Ludwig von Closen wrote in his journal entries of 10 and 11
July: “On the 10th, at sunset, we finally discerned the land and recognized the Islands of Martha’s Vineyard and, farther to the West, No Man’s Land!!! Thereupon the General signalled to us to turn to the N.W., which carried us directly toward Block Island, a small island off Rhode Island, where we anchored, at last, on the 11th, after a passage of 70 days.
“11 That same evening the convoy entered the harbor of Newport, between Rhode Island and Conanicut [Island]” (, 26–27; bracketed word in source; see also , 1:17).