To George Washington from Nathaniel Shaw, 9 August 1780
From Nathaniel Shaw
New London [Conn.,] Augst 9th 1780
Sir
The Brittish Fleet Come to Sail last Sunday1 from of[f] this Harbour and mov’d up as farr as Gardners Island where they have been att Anchor Ever Since, only Three or four frigates Cruze between Block Island & the Fleet.
we have Sent a Boat over to the Island to git Intelligence, and when she Returns Shall Inform you—I am Sir Your hum. Servt
Nathl Shaw
ALS, DLC:GW.
Shaw wrote GW on “Thursday” [Friday,] 11 Aug., from New London at “12 OClock”: “This Serves Just to Inform you that the Brittish Fleet Continue att Gardners Island, our Boat is Return’d from the Island, and the Inhabitants say the Brittans are Procuring Small Stock wood & Water” (ALS, DLC:GW).
1. The previous Sunday was 6 August.