To George Washington from Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 27 November 1780
From Lieutenant General Rochambeau
Newport 9ber 27th 1780
Sir
Before yesterday we have had a Cruizer that has been patrolling before our harbour, as usual, One of our Cutters is likewise just arrived from his cruize off gardner’s Bay, where he has seen nine ships of the Line at anchor, besides two others that are cruizing out at Large. The Intelligence from N. London assures me that Rodney is gone, which, I won’t believe till Your Excellency certifies it to me.1 It is further added that Arbuthnot will have the command at New York and Graves will remain with the fleet in Gardner’s bay.2 The Captain of the Cutter is positive to his having seen the Commanding flag on board the biggest Ship the London that Graves rides on.3
I would be much obliged to Your Excellency if you could procure me the New york papers which I can’t Get at here.4 I am with respect, Sir Your Excellency’s Most obedient most humble servant
le Cte de Rochambeau
LS, DLC:GW.
1. For the departure of British admiral George Rodney’s fleet on 15 Nov., see Rochambeau to GW, 29 Oct., n.5; see also GW to Rochambeau, 14 November.
Rochambeau’s aide-de-camp Hans Axel von Fersen wrote his father Fredrik Axel von Fersen from Newport on 7 Dec. that “Admiral Rodney has returned to the Isles with his ten vessels; we now have Arbuthnot here with seven ships of the line and three or four frigates” (, 35).
2. For similar intelligence, see Nathaniel Shaw to GW, 23 Nov., postscript.
3. In his journal entry for 16 Nov., Rochambeau’s aide-de-camp Ludwig von Closen listed “The London,” with ninety-eight cannon under Rear Adm. Thomas Graves, and eight other large British warships (, 46). In his journal entry for 15 Nov., Closen had described the British “New York Fleet” as having “9 ships, many frigates, and an immense number of little armed craft, which prey upon the commerce of the Americans” ( 45).