From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 4 November 1780
To Lieutenant General Rochambeau
Head Quarters Prackness Novembr 4th 1780
Sir
I have had the honor of receiving your several letters of the 23d 27th & 29th, I am happy to hear that the Frigate and our friend have taken their departure under such favourable auspices—I join with you in the warmest wishes for their safety and expedition.1
By recent advices, there appears to be a large fleet of transports &ca prepareing at New York to sail—and it is added another embarkation of troops is getting ready—It is also said, Rodney is prepareing to sail to the West Indies with the greater part of his fleet—and is to detach two ships the Terrible and Sandwich, to convoy a homeward bound European fleet, so soon as the cork fleet arrives.
The New York paper mentions the bringing in a prize, that gives an account of the arrival of the last detachment in Chespeak Bay.2 I have the honor to be With perfect esteem Your Excellency’s Most Obedt humble servt
Go: Washington
LS, in David Humphreys’s writing, CtY-BR:R; Df, DLC:GW; Rochambeau’s French translation, CtY-BR:R; LB, in French, DLC: Rochambeau Papers, vol. 7; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. Rochambeau replied to GW on 10 November.
1. Rochambeau had reported the departure for France of his son and aide-decamp vicomte de Rochambeau when he wrote GW on 29 October. GW also acknowledged Rochambeau’s letters to him dated 23 and 27 October.
2. For the intelligence contained in this letter, see GW to Samuel Huntington, this date.