Last night I returned from Weathersfield, where I have had an interview with His Excellency the Count De Rochambeau: in consequence of which, the French Army will commence its march, to form a junction with ours on the North River, as soon as circumstances will admit.1

The accomplishment of the object which we have in contemplation, is of the utmost importance to America, and will in all probability be attained, unless there should be a failure on our part, in the number of men which will be required for the operation, or the Enemy should withdraw a considerable part of their force from the southward—It is in our power by proper exertions, to prevent the first—and should the latter take place, we shall be amply repaid our expences, by liberating the southern states, where we have found by experience, we are only vulnerable.

Upon the calculations, that I have been able to form, in concert with some of the most experienced French and American Officers, The operation in view will require, in addition to the French Army, all the Continental Battalions from New Hamshire to New Jersey inclusive to be compleated to their full establishment. Your Excellency must be sensible, that the measures, in consequence of the last requisition of Congress have been very far from answering the end: as, notwithstanding the advanced season, few Recruits (comparatively speaking) have yet joined your regiments. It must also be taken into consideration, that a number of those men who were returned when the requisition was made, had since been taken off by the various casualties incident to an Army, besides such as have been discharged in consequence of the investigation made into the term of inlistment by the Commi⟨t⟩tee appointed by your Assembly for that purpose2—By this diminution, and the want of success in recruiting: I find from the last return there are 455 Men now wanting to compleat the two Regiments of your State.3

From what has been premised, you will perceive, without my urging further reasons, the necessity I am under of calling upon you, in the most earnest manner, to devise means to send into the field, without delay, the number of men now actually wanting to compleat your Battalions. The term of three years, or for the war would undoubtedly be preferable to any shorter period, but if they cannot be obtained on those conditions, necessity must oblige us to ta⟨ke⟩ them for the Campaign only, which ought to be reckoned to the last of December.4

On so great an occasion, I should hope that the estimate would be made sufficiently large, and that the exertions in the several Counties would be so very vigorous and energetic as to give us every man we stand in need of by the first of July at farthest.

Arguments surely cannot be wanting to impress the Legislature with a due sense of the obligation which we are under of furnishing the means now called for—The Enemy counting upon our want of ability, or upon our want of energy, have, by repeated Detachments to the southward reduced themselves in New York to a situation which invites us to take advantage of it—and should the lucky moment be lost, it is to be feared, that they will, after subduing the southern States, raise a force in them sufficient to hold them, and return again to the Northward with such a number of men as will render New York secure against any force which we can at this time of day, raise or maintain.

Our Allies in this Country expect and depend upon being supported by us in the attempt which we are about to make, and those in Europe will be astonished should we neglect the favorable opportunity which is now offered.

As it is probable that some Militia in addition to the full compliment of Continental Troops may be necessary to support communicatio⟨ns,⟩ and for other purposes you will be pleased to direc⟨t⟩ 500 men to be held in readiness to march within one week after I shall ⟨call⟩ for them, to serve thr⟨ee⟩ months after they shall have joined the Army⟨.⟩ And I would ⟨ta⟩ke the liberty of requesting that the Executive may be vested with full powers, during the recess of the Assembly to comply with any further requisition, I may make for M⟨en,⟩ Provisions, or for the means of transportation which last may be most essential in the cours⟨e⟩ of our operations, should it become necessary to bring Provisions or stores from a distance.

I shall be glad to be favored with an answer as soon as possible, with an assurance of what I may depend upon, that if I do not clea⟨r⟩ly see a prospect of being supported, I may turn my views to a defensive instead of an offensive plan, and save the States and our Allies the expen⟨ce⟩ which would be needlessly incurred by any but an ample and effectual preparation.5 I have the honor to be With great esteem and respect Yr Excellency’s Most Obedt servant