George Washington to La Luzerne, 23 May 1781
To La Luzerne
Weathersfeild May 23d 1781
Sir
The letter which I have the honor to inclose from the Count de Rochambeau will, I imagine inform your Excellency of the intended march of the French Army towards the North River and the destination of the King’s Squadron now in the Harbour of Newport, if circumstances will admit of the respective movements.1
I should be wanting in respect and confidence were I not to add that our object is New York—The Season—the difficulty and expence of Land transportation—and the continual waste of Men in every2 attempt to reinforce the southern States are almost insuperable objections to marching another detachment from the Army on the North River—nor do I see how it is possible to give effectual support to those States and avert the evils which threaten them, while we are inferior in Naval Force in these Seas.
It is not for me to know in what manner the Fleet of His Most Christian Majesty is to be employed in the West Indies this Summer, or to enquire at what Epocha it may be expected on this Coast; but the appearance and aid of it in this Quarter is of such essential importance in any offensive operation, and so necessary to stop the progress of the Enemy’s Arms to the Southward,3 that I am persuaded I shall be excused for endeavouring to engage Your Excellency’s good Offices in facilitatg an event in which so much depends. For this I have a stronger plea when I assure you that Genl Rochambeaus opinion and wishes concur with mine, and that it is at his instance principally I make you this address.4
If we are happy enough to find Your Excellency in sentiment with us, it will be in your power to inform the Count de Grasse of the strength and situation of the Enemy’s Naval and Land force in this Country—the destination of the French Squadron under Admiral de Barras5 and the intention of the Allied Arms if a junction can be formed. At present the British Fleet lies within Block Island and about 5 Leagues from Point Judith.6
The Count de Rochambeau and the Chevalier Chattellux agree perfectly in sentiment with me that while Affairs remain as they now are the West Indies Fleet should run immediately to Sandy Hook, if they have no concerted operations, where they may be met with all the information requisite, and where they may most likely shut in or cut off Admiral Arbuthnot and may be joined by Count de Barras.7
An early and frequent communications from the Count de Grasse would lead to preparatory Measures on our part and be a means8 of facilitating the operation in hand or any other which may be thought more advisable.9
I know your Excellency’s goodness and your Zeal for the common cause too well to offer any thing as an apology for this liberty,10 and I persuade myself it is unnecessary to declare the Respect and Attachment with which I have the Honor to be Your Excellency’s Most obt Servt
Go: Washington
LS, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, FrPMAE; ADf, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. The letter from Lieutenant General Rochambeau to La Luzerne has not been identified. GW and Rochambeau had agreed on these movements of the French army (see The Wethersfield Conference and Aftermath, 14 May–16 June, editorial note). The French commanders decided that the squadron under Rear Admiral Barras would remain at Newport (see Barras to GW, 31 May and 9 June; see also GW to Barras, 4 and 13 June).
2. Following this word on his draft, GW initially wrote “detachment we” but then struck out those words.
3. At this point on his draft, GW wrote and then struck out the following phrase: “& the consequences wch must result from the success of them if they are not.”
4. The French court had dispatched a large fleet under the command of Lieutenant General de Grasse to the West Indies for operations on the North American coast (see Rochambeau to GW, 11 May, n.2). Rochambeau disagreed with GW on the proper destination for de Grasse’s fleet (see Rochambeau to GW, 10 June).
5. At this point on his draft, GW wrote and then struck out “(if it can be accomplished).”
6. A marine league is equivalent to three nautical miles ().
7. Vice Admiral Marriot Arbuthnot commanded the British fleet on the North American station.
8. This word appears on GW’s draft, but Tilghman wrote “mean” on the LS.
9. De Grasse had written Rochambeau on 29 March (see Rochambeau to GW, 10 June, and n.1 to that document).