From George Washington to Brigadier General Duportail, 1 March 1781
To Brigadier General Duportail
New Windsor March 1st 81
Dr Sir,
Some unexpected events have determined me suddenly to set out for Rhode Island.1 I depart tomorrow—and dispatch you this to request you will join me there as soon as possible. Your information and advice will be very important to our plans. My stay at Rhode Island will be very short.2
Accept the assurances of the esteem & regard with which I am Dr Sir Yr Most Obed. servt.
Df, in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. Duportail replied to GW on 5 March.
1. For the decision of the French commanders to send their full naval squadron and a large corps of troops to Virginia, see Rochambeau to GW, 25 Feb.; see also GW to Rochambeau, 2 March.
2. GW wrote this sentence on the draft.