1. A contemporary translation of the enclosed French letter from La Luzerne to Captain Destouches on this date reads: “The Accounts from Virginia and the other southern States leave no doubt but the English are resolved to attack them with very superior forces. They are already in condition to command them by the advantages which they have of transporting themselves by the sea and by all the Rivers as it suits them. Virginia one of the most powerful states in the Union finds herself by these means reduced to a state of inaction and as the Bay of Chesapeak is intirely in the possession of the Enemy it is to be feared that Maryland will find herself shortly in the same condition and in the same danger. It is manifest that the plan of the English is to harrass and desolate them without intermission to inspire part of the inhabitants with a desire of seeing an end of the Quarrel and when they think their weariness and their Calamities are at the height, to make their propositions advantagious enough to withdraw them from the Confederation. Although these States are firmly attached to their Independance, it has in the meantime become very important to make them participate as much as it is possible the assistance which His Majesty has granted to his Allies, and I can assure you sir that you cannot in present circumstances render them a greater service than carrying yourself into the Bay of Chesapeak and endeavouring to establish yourself there. Many other political considerations, into the detail of which I shall not enter, press that measure, and if it be possible for you to carry it into execution, I have reason to believe that you will intirely disconcert the Enemy’s plans against Virginia and Maryland, and when you shall have given to those two states the liberty of exerting themselves, you will contribute very much at the same time to the releif of the more southern by the assistance which they will be capable of affording. Your position in the Bay of Chesapeak will restrain also their Communication between New York and Charlestown and perhaps prevent other events which may be yet more greivous than the present to the invaded States.

“In giving, Sir, my opinion upon the utility of the movement, I avow to you that I am totally incapable of forming one upon the possibility of carrying it into execution. I have had the honor of transmitting you from time to time the details and plans which can enable you to form a judgment. Mr de Tilly having been more convenient during his stay in Hampton Road to make the necessary remarks, you ought to decide by them I pray you also to regard my entreaties, altho’ pressing as the circumstances render them, as intirely subordinate to the instructions which you may have received from the Court. I do not propose to you to change your position, but upon a supposition that you have no orders to the contrary and that you have received no other destination.

“As to the measures which you are in this case to expect from the States which you will go to assist, I beg you to assure yourself sir that they will spare nothing to satisfy You; and if an assemblage of land Forces is judged necessary, as I presume it will be, they will send their instructions in consequence of it to the Officers who command them” (both DLC:GW). For appeals from the executives of Virginia and Maryland for French aid, see Maryland Council to La Luzerne, 28 March, in Md. Archives description begins Archives of Maryland. 72 vols. Baltimore, 1883–1972. description ends , 45:366, and Thomas Jefferson to La Luzerne, 12 April, in Jefferson Papers description begins Julian P. Boyd et al., eds. The Papers of Thomas Jefferson. 45 vols. to date. Princeton, N.J., 1950–. description ends , 5:421–22.

2. GW approved the plan and forwarded the original letter to Destouches and the packet to Lieutenant General Rochambeau (see his reply to La Luzerne, 14 May). The packet for Rochambeau evidently included a letter to Rochambeau on this date and a copy of La Luzerne’s letter to Destouches (both CtY-BR:R). La Luzerne’s letter to Rochambeau was similar to the one he wrote GW.