George Washington to Major General Chastellux, 7 May 1781
To Major General Chastellux
New Windsor 7th May 1781
Dear Sir,
Permit me, on this first occasion of writing to you, to begin my letter with congratulations on your recovered health, & I offer them sincerely.1
Colo. Menonville put into my hands two days since, your favor of the 29th Ulto. If my inclination was seconded by the means, I should not fail to treat this Gentleman as the friend of my friend; and if it is not in my power to comply with his wishes on the score of Provisions, I will deal with him candidly by communicating the causes.
I am impressed with too high a sense of the abilities and candor of the Chevalier Chartellus, to conceive that he is capable of creating false hopes; his communication therefore of the West India intelligence comes with merited force—and I would to God it were in my power to make the proper advantages of it!2 But, if you can recollect a private conversation which I had with you in the Count de Rochambeaus chamber, you will be perswaded it is not; especially when I add, that the want, of which I then complained, exists in much greater force than it did at that moment; but such preparations as can be made, I will make, for the events you allude to. The candid world, & well informed Officer, will expect no more.3
May you participate in those blessings you have invoked heaven for me, and may you live to see a happy termination of a struggle4 which was begun, and has been continued for the purpose of rescueg America from impending Slavery, and securing to its Inhabitants their indubitable rights—in which you bear a conspicuous part5—is the ardent wish of Dr Sir—Yr Most Obedt & Most Hble Servt
Go: Washington
ALS, NjP; ADfS, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. GW means the first occasion since Chastellux’s illness. For Chastellux’s illness and recovery, see Rochambeau to GW, 25 March and 4 April; see also Chastellux to GW, April (no exact date).
2. In his letter to GW dated 29 April, Chastellux recommended Lieutenant Colonel Ménonville, called for unity between the French and Continental armies, and reported intelligence from the West Indies that indicated the arrival of large French land and naval forces (see also GW to Ménonville, 6 May).
3. GW alludes to the chronic supply deficiencies and recruitment challenges of his army. He recently had visited the French commanders in Newport and discussed combined operations in the New York City area (see GW to Alexander Hamilton, 7 March, source note).
4. GW wrote “struggle” on his draft but “stuggle” on the ALS.