George Washington to Major General Alexander McDougall, 31 March 1781
To Major General Alexander McDougall
New Windsor Mar. 31st 1781
Dear Sir,
(Private)1
The Expedition against Arnold has failed—after the favourable moment (occasioned by the disability of part of the British Ships in Gardners bay) was suffered to pass away, I never was sanguine in it—but the object being great, the risk was warrantable.2
The attempt of the Chevalier Des Touches at the time he Sailed, was bold & enterprising—for this, and political reasons; and because I know it will be grateful to the French Genel & Admiral, I take the liberty of hinting to you the propriety (if it is not already done) of Congress paying them a compliment on the occasion. It may have a happy effect which is the only apology I can offer for the freedom of suggesting it.3 I am—Dr Sir With great esteem & regard Yr most Obedt Servt
Go: Washington
P.S. I have recd your letter promising to corrispond under the Signature of Marcus & shall be happy in the fruits of it.4
G:W.
ALS, NSchU: W. Wright Hawkes Collection of Revolutionary War Documents (but advertised for sale by Heritage Auctions, 4–5 Nov. 2015, Lot #49038); ADfS, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW signed the cover of the ALS, which is addressed to “The Honble Majr Genl McDougall of Congress Philadelpa.” GW noted on his draft: “Seperate to Majr Genl McDougall Genl Sullivan & John Matthews Esqr.” The draft also indicates that the postscript should be only “to the Letter to Genl McDougall.” A Varick transcript addressed to New Hampshire delegate John Sullivan does not include the postscript. It is followed by a heading: “The same To the Honble John Matthews Esqr: Del. in Congress for So. Carolina” (DLC:GW).
1. Only the ALS includes this heading.
2. GW had wanted the French expeditionary force at Newport to venture against Brig. Gen. Benedict Arnold’s command in Virginia after a storm had damaged British ships (see Rochambeau to GW, 29 Jan., and GW to Rochambeau, 15 Feb.; see also Destouches to GW, 25 Feb. and 8 March; Rochambeau to GW, 27 March; and GW to La Luzerne, this date).
3. On 4 April, Virginia delegate James Madison introduced a motion on this subject, which Sullivan seconded (see , 19:348–50). Following further amendment, Congress resolved on 5 April to have “the President transmit the thanks of the United States Congress assembled to the Count de Rochambeau and the Chevalier Destouches, commanders of the army and fleet sent by his Most Christian Majesty to the succour of his allies, for the zeal and vigilance they have, on every occasion, manifested to fulfil the generous intentions of their sovereign and the expectations of these States:
“That he present their particular thanks to the Chevalier Destouches and the officers and men under his command, for the bravery, firmness and good conduct displayed in the late enterprize against the enemy at Portsmouth, in Virginia, in which, although the accomplishment of the object was prevented by unforeseen events, the arduous contest so gallantly and advantageou[s]ly maintained, on the 16 March last, off the capes of Chesapeak bay against a superior British fleet does honor to the arms of his Most Christian Majesty, and is a happy presage of decisive advantages to the United States” (, 19:356–57; see also Destouches to GW, 19 March, source note, and Sullivan to GW, 5 April).
Samuel Huntington, president of Congress, wrote GW from Philadelphia on 6 April: “Enclosed is the Copy of a resolve which I have transmitted to the Count de rochambeau & to the Chevalier Destouches by Direction of Congress” (LS, DLC:GW; LB, DNA:PCC, item 15; see also Huntington to Destouches, 6 April, in , 17:135). The enclosure with the congressional resolution dated 5 April that commended the French forces under Lieutenant General Rochambeau and Captain Destouches is in DLC:GW. GW replied to Huntington on 14 April.
4. See McDougall to GW, 15 February. No correspondence from McDougall to GW with this signature has been found.