John Sullivan to George Washington, 28 May 1781
From John Sullivan
Philadelphia May 28th 1781
My dear General
Though the Distresses of our Army, the Success of the Enemy in the Southern States; The certainty of the Second Division not coming to America; and the Disposition of the Sovereigns of Russia, and Germany, to dictate a Peace;1 when the uti possidetes if admitted would Operate to deprive us of very important parts of the united States:2 Yet I cannot forbear congratulating your Excellency on the general Compleation of our affaires which in my Opinion wear a more promising Aspect Than they have done for many years.
The Reinforcement from France though far short of what was intended, will (I trust) Enable us to undertake Offensive Operations by Land & Sea. the Generous Donation of his most Christian majesty with the measures adopted by Congress & by our Financier will Enable us to pay and Supply our Army.3 The Cloathing Arrived & now on its passage will Enable us to Cloathe our Army.4 the Measures adopted by the French Court will furnish us with the necessary Munitions of war. The Exertions of Mr R: Morris will in a few Days give you a permanent Supply of provisions Independant of The Supplies Expected from the States. The Late important discoveries made by Congress have at Length convinced them that Honesty is the best policy; This will restore our Lost credit. The prospects of a peace being Dictated to us by an Armed neutrality will rouse Congress and the States to Exertions which may put us on a footing to negotiate on Terms of Equality. The Scrupulous adherence of his Christian Majesty to the Terms of the Alliance; The favorable Disposition of the Spanish Court; and the interest which the powers of Europe have discovered in our becoming an Independant Nation promise us Every thing in a Negociation which our Exertions & their political Interest may Dictate. but Amidst all those flattering prospects we are now called upon to make our Last desperate Struggle to pave the way to that peace and Independance for which we have so long contended—Congress do and I am convinced the States will feel the necessity to Exert Every nerve at this critical moment and I do not Entertain a Doubt of the Success. The rule of promotions has with much difficulty passed; which though not in Every respect agreable to my mind is much better Than any thing yet adopted. The Committe fell in with your Excellencys reasoning but the obstinacy of ignorant members in Some degree Mutilated the plan. The Arrangement of the Artillery and Cavalry was rejected because it was Supposed to militate against the Confederation; other parts were rejected for different reasons and Some for no reason at all but I flatter myself that as it now Stands it will answer our views in Some Degree.5 I should be more particular with your Excellency upon European Intelli⟨gence⟩ but your Late conference at Weathersfie⟨ld⟩ Must have Superseaded the Necessity6 Though my own Domestic affairs will Soon compell me to Leave Congress your Excellencey may rely on Every Exertion of mine during the Little time I shall remain & upon all the Influence I may have with the State of N: Hampsre after my return.7 I have the honor to be with the most profound respect my Dear General Your Excys most obedt & very Humble Servant
Jno. Sullivan
ALS, DLC:GW. Sullivan signed the cover.
1. French minister La Luzerne met a congressional committee that included Sullivan and announced that the French court had decided not to send a second division to reinforce Rochambeau’s army. He also updated the committee on Austrian and Russian mediation proposals to settle disputes that involved European belligerents, Great Britain, and the United States (see Sullivan to GW, 11 June, and n.1; see also John Laurens to GW, 24 March, and Rochambeau to GW, 11 May, n.2).
2. In international law, the phrase “uti possidetis” signifies “that the parties to a treaty are to retain possession of what thay have acquired by force during the war” (, 1715). La Luzerne wanted the Americans to give up their territorial demands to shorten the war (see Sullivan to GW, 11 June, n.1; see also , 174).
3. The French court recently agreed to gift 6 million livres tournois to the United States and also guaranteed a loan for 10 million livres tournois (see Laurens to GW, 24 March and 11 April). For the plans of Robert Morris, the newly appointed superintendent of finance, see his second letter to GW, 29 May; see also Morris to GW, 21 June and 2 July.
4. Sullivan refers to clothing that recently arrived in the United States from Spain (see Ezekiel Cornell to GW, 24 May, and n.4 to that document).
5. For congressional consideration and passage of resolutions related to officer promotions (see Sullivan to GW, 17 May, and notes 2–3 to that document, and Samuel Huntington’s second letter to GW, 28 May, and n.1 to that document).
7. Sullivan ended his congressional service and returned home in August (see Sullivan to GW, 2 July, and n.2 to that document).