USA > Maryland > Anne Arundel County > Annapolis > Annals of Annapolis : comprising sundry notices of that old city from the period of the first settlements in its vicinity in the year 1649, until the war of 1812 ; together with various incidents in the history of Maryland, derived from early records, public documents, and other sources ; with an appendix, containing a number of letters from General Washington, and other distinguished persons, which letters have never been published before > Part 18
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'I must now break off abruptly, being ordered to march up above King's bridge, the enemy having landed 6000 men from the sound on Frog's Point; 50 ships have got up there, landing more troops; there is nothing left but to fight them ; an engagement is generally expected, and soon. Have enclosed a copy of a general return of the battalion, and Veazey's company, being all the troops I marched from Maryland, with the accoutrements and camp equipage, taken in Philadelphia, to be rendered the congress, together with our weekly general return.
'The independents are about their returns of arms, ac- coutrements and camp equipage, brought by them from Maryland, but not having time to finish, they must hère- · after be returned to the council of safety.
'We have upwards of 300 officers and soldiers of the Maryland regulars, very sick, which you will observe by the return, and I am sorry to say, it's shocking to humanity
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to have no more care taken of them; this must hurt the service upon the new establishments. Majors Price and Gist, and capt. Stone, are in the Jerseys, very sick, and col. Ware and myself are very unfit for duty, though we attend it; many more officers are very unwell.
'I am, very respectfully, your obedient and very humble servant, W. SMALLWOOD.'
Letter from General Washington to Thomas Johnson, Esq., Governor of Maryland.
'HEAD-QUARTERS, VALLEY FORGE, 17th May, 1778.
'My Dear Sir,-From a number of concurring circum- stances, there is reason to believe that the enemy mean to evacuate Philadelphia.
'It is necessary, therefore, to draw together as great a force as can be provided for, with the utmost expedition. But as several of our out-posts, covering magazines and the like, cannot be recalled without a body of militia to act in their room, I am obliged to request of the neigh- bouring States a reinforcement for this and other purposes. The requisition of congress extends to 5000 militia from the Jerseys, Pennsylvania and Maryland.
'A large compact body of regulars are wanted, and seve- .ral valuable intentions to be attended to at the same time.
'General Smallwood, who lays at Wilmington, covers a quantity of stores at the head of Elk. If he is withdrawn, the enemy may destroy our magazine at that place.
'I would imagine that five hundred militia of your State would be a sufficient security, and proper restraint upon the enemy on that quarter. I would, therefore, beg of you to embody and send forward five hundred of your militia, equipped, and the most contiguous to the head of Elk. You may probably find it most convenient to send them by companies.
'The most expeditious way is certainly the best, and the sooner they get to the head of Elk, the sooner shall I have it in my power to recall the garrison from Wilmington,
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and complete such a body of continental troops as may enable me to act according to conjunctures.
'I rely upon your particular assistance on this critical occasion, and am,
'Dear sir, with respect and esteem, 'Your ob't and very humble servant,
'Go. WASHINGTON.
'His Excellency Thomas Johnson,
' Governor, &c. Maryland, at Annapolis.'
Letter from General Washington to Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer and William Fitzhugh, Esquires.
HEAD-QUARTERS, MIDDLEBROOK, 10th April, 1779.
' Gentlemen,-I have been duly honoured with your letter of the 26th ultimo and its enclosures.
'The length of time in which the rank has been fluc- tuating and undecided, by producing, in some measure, a number of claims, gives apprehension of complaint, from whatever mode may be now adopted for determining the several disputes.
'However, to afford the utmost latitude for their consi- deration, I have ordered a board of general officers to sit, to hear and report on respective claims, precedencies, and the rank of the whole line, which I hope will enable me to complete a final arrangement, as much as possible to the general satisfaction.
'The officers cannot but be pleased in the provision which you have made them, not only for the prospect of ease which it promises, but that honourable distinction of past services, when they shall resume the happy character of citizen.
'I am, gentlemen, with the greatest regard, your most obedient and humble servant, G. WASHINGTON. (Public service.)
' Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Esq., President of the Senate, and William Fitzhugh, Esq., Speaker of the House of Delegates, at Annapolis.'
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Letter from General Washington to Governor Lee.
'HEAD-QUARTERS, MORRISTOWN, 24th January, 1780.
' Sir,-I have been honoured with your excellency's letter of the 26th December, and its inclosures. The immediate attention of government to the distresses of the army, and the effectual assistance promised from the ope- ration of the act, cannot but claim the acknowledgments of every good citizen.
'I flatter myself from your exertions, and those of the other States from which we derive our supplies, that we shall not again experience a like evil.
'I have the honour to be, &c.
'G. WASHINGTON.
'Thomas Sim Lee, Esq. Governor, &c. at Annapolis.'
Letter from the same to the same, dated
February 19th, 1780.
' Sir,-About the latter end of December last, I had the honour to receive a letter from his excellency governor Johnson, dated the 27th October, in which he proposes an arrangement for the three companies of artillery, belong- ing to the State of Maryland, and asks my opinion upon it. As general Knox, being at the head of the artillery, is consequently best acquainted with its interior circum- stances, and can best judge of the operation of any ar- rangements which might take place, I communicated the letter to him to know his sentiments. His answer you will find in the enclosed extract. I beg leave to add that the mode he recommends appears to me well calculated to do justice to the State, to the officers of the three companies, and to promote the general good of the service.
'It is essential to have the corps that compose the army upon our formation, regulated by general principles. The contrary is productive of innumerable inconveniences.
'This makes me wish the idea of erecting the four com-
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panies into a separate corps under the command of a major, may be relinquished.
'If the plan now proposed is agreeable to the views of the State, I shall be happy its intentions may be signified as speedily as possible to congress, that the incorporation and arrangement may be carried into execution.
'I have the honour, &c.
'G. WASHINGTON.'
Letter from the same to the same, dated
' March 26th, 1780.
'Sir,-Your excellency will have received, I presume, before this, a transcript of an act of congress of the 25th of last month, calling on the several States for specific quan- tities of provisions, rum and forage for the army, and directing the articles of supplies to be collected and de- posited at such places in each of the States as should be judged most convenient by me. In the case of a defen- sive war like ours, which depends almost wholly on the movements and operations of the enemy, it is difficult, if not impracticable, to fix on places of deposite for stores, which may not be rendered improper by subsequent events, and all we can do upon such occasions, is to collect them where it shall appear from a comparative view of circumstances, that they will be probably secure, and most likely to facilitate the purposes intented. I have, con- sidered the point with respect to the supplies required of your State, and I beg leave to inform your excellency, that it appears to me, that they should be deposited in the following places, and in the proportions set against each respectively, viz :
Barrels Flour. Tons Hay. Bushels Corn.
Head of Elk, .
14,000
140
52,152
Baltimore, .
3,000
30
2,000
George Town,
3,000
30
2,000
-
20,000
200
56,152
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. 'As to the beef, the time and place of delivery, and the proportion from time to time, must of necessity be go- verned by the occasional requisitions of the commissary- general.
'I have the honour to be, &c.
'G. WASHINGTON.'
Letter from General Washington to Philip Schuyler, John Matthews, and Nathaniel Peabody, Committee of Congress. 'HEAD-QUARTERS, SPRINGFIELD, June 11th, 1780.
' Gentlemen,-It appears to me to be a very eligible step, at the present juncture, to reiterate our instances with the several States, to engage them to press the measures re- commended in your former letter. Not only the time is sliding away very fast, every moment of which ought to be improved for the intended co-operation, but the move- ments of the enemy demand every exertion in our power for the purpose of defence.
'There can now remain no doubt that Charleston and its garrison have fallen. There is every reason to believe that Sir Henry Clinton, with the whole or the greatest part of his force will shortly arrive at New York.
'The expectation of the French fleet and army, will certainly determine the enemy to unite their forces. General Knyphausen still continues in the Jerseys, with all the force which can be spared from New York; a force greatly superior to ours.
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'Should Sir Henry join him, the superiority will be decided, and equal to almost any thing the enemy may think proper to attempt. It is true they are at this time inactive, but their continuance where they are, proves that they have some project of importance in contempla- tion. Perhaps they are only waiting till the militia grow tired and return home, (which they are doing every hour) to prosecute their designs with less opposition.
'This would be a critical moment for us. Perhaps they
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are waiting the arrival of Sir Henry Clinton, either to push up the North river against the highland posts, or to bend their whole force against this army. In either case the most disastrous consequences are to be apprehended. You, who are well acquainted with our situation, need no arguments to evince the danger.
'The militia of this State have run to arms, and behaved with an ardor and spirit of which there are few examples.
'But perseverance in enduring the rigors of military service, is not to be expected from those who are not by profession obliged to it.
'The reverse of this opinion has been a great misfortune in our affairs, and it is high time we should recover from an error of so pernicious a nature. We must absolutely have a force of a different composition, or we must relin- quish the contest.
'In a few days we may expect to have to depend almost wholly on our continental force, and this (from your own observation) is totally inadequate to our safety. The exi- gency calls loudly upon the States to carry all the recom- mendations of the committee into the most vigorous and immediate execution, but more particularly that of com- pleting our battalions by a draft, and with all the expe- dition possible.
'I beg to advise that these ideas be all clearly held up to the States. Whatever inconvenience there may be in diffusing the knowledge of our circumstances, delicate as they are, there is, in my opinion, more danger in conceal- ing than disclosing them.
'I have the honour to be, with perfect respect and esteem, gentlemen, your most obedient and humble ser'vt,
'GEO. WASHINGTON.
'Committee of Congress for Co-operation.'
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APPENDIX.
Letter from General Washington to the Committee of Congress for Co-operation.
'HEAD-QUARTERS, SPRINGFIELD, June 12th, 1780.
' Gentlemen,-I have received information, which though not official, I deem authentic, that some of the States have taken up the measure of augmenting their battalions by draft, on a less extensive footing than was urged in your circular letter of the 23d of May. Though I wish to pay in every instance, implicit deference to the determination of the respective States, I think it my duty, in the present crisis, once more to declare with freedom, that I conceive the measure of filling our battalions to their full comple- ment, fundamental to a co-operation on a large scale, that any thing short of this, will infallibly compel us to confine ourselves to a mere defensive plan, except as to some little partial indecisive enterprize against remote points, and will of course disappoint the expectations of our allies, and protract the war.
'The force which has been stated as necessary, is as small as can give us any prospect of a decisive effort. If it is not furnished, we must renounce every hope of this kind.
'It remains with the States to realize the consequences.
'I, have the honour to be, with the greatest respect and esteem, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,
'Go. WASHINGTON.
'The Committee of Co-operation.'
Letter from General Washington to the Committee of Congress.
'HEAD-QUARTERS, ROCKAWAY, 23d June, 1780.
' Gentlemen,-The enemy are now in full force, bending their march towards Morristown, and by my last advices had advanced beyond Springfield. They were vigorously opposed by our advanced corps. But what could the 23*
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valour of a handful do against so infinite a superiority of numbers ?
'The enemy can effect any particular object they may attempt. Besides the army, they can have no other in this State, than our stores, as we cannot defend them, we must endeavour to remove them.
'I am so entirely engaged in attention to our military operations, that I must entreat you to write to the execu- tives of Pennsylvania and Jersey, pressing them to bring out all the wagons they can to our relief. An application has been already made to Pennsylvania for two hundred and fifty wagons, they ought to be instantly furnished.
'But we do not know what may be the ultimate designs of the enemy, all we know is, that they are very strong, and that we are very weak.
'I beg leave to recommend that the States may be again called upon to redouble their exertions, to comply with the demands that have been already made upon them.
'It is essential to our immediate safety, to say nothing of the expected co-operation. If she means to be free, this is the moment for America to exert herself.
'With every sentiment of esteem, I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servant,
'Go. WASHINGTON.
' Hon'ble Committee of Co-operation.'
Letter from General Washington to the Committee of Congress.
'HEAD-QUARTERS, July 13th, 1780.
'Gentlemen,-We have received intelligence through different channels, from New York, that the Gaudeloupe had arrived there on Sunday morning, and brought an account that she had fallen in with a large French fleet, consisting of several sail of the- line, and a number of transports, between the capes of Virginia and Delaware. This intelligence has every appearance of authenticity,
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and if true, the arrival of the fleet on the coast may be instantly looked for. This indeed must be the case, at any rate, from the time they are said to have sailed.
'It cannot be too much lamented, that our preparations are still so greatly behind hand. Not a thousand men, that I have heard of, have yet joined the army ; and in all probability, the period for commencing our operations is at hand.
'I am happy to learn that a spirit of animation has diffused itself throughout the States, from which we may expect the happiest consequences. But the exigency is so pressing, that we ought to multiply our efforts to give new activity and despatch to our measures ; levying and forwarding the men, providing the supplies of every sort required : forage and transportation demand particular attention.
'After what has been preconcerted with the honoura- ble, the congress, after two months previous notice of the intended succour, if our allies find us unprepared, and are obliged to wait several weeks in a state of inaction, it is easy to conceive how unfavourable the impressions it will make of our conduct. Besides this, the season is exceed- ingly advanced. A decisive enterprize, if our means are equal to it, will not permit us to lose a moment of the time left for military operations, which if improved with all the vigour in our power, is less than were to be wished for an undertaking of so arduous and important a nature ; so much is at stake ; so much to be hoped ; so much to be lost ; that we shall be inexcusable if we do not employ all our zeal and all our exertion.
'With the highest respect and esteem, I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most obedient and humble servant, 'Go. WASHINGTON.
'The Committee of Co-operation.'
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Letter from General Washington to Governor Lee, of Maryland, dated
July 26, 1780.
'Sir,-I have been honoured with your excellency's favour of the 10th, enclosing copies of the several laws passed by the legislature of your State, for procuring the supplies of men, provisions and carriages, required by the Honourable Committee of Co-operation in conjunction with me.
'The readiness with which these laws were passed, and the pointed attention which your excellency seems deter- mined to pay to the due execution of them, are happy pre- sages that they will be speedily and fully carried into effect.
'I have the honour to be, &c.
'Go. WASHINGTON.'
Letter from General Washington to the Committee of Congress.
'HEAD-QUARTERS, ORANGETOWN, 17th August, 1780.
' Gentlemen,-We are now arrived at the middle of August, if we are able to undertake any thing in this quarter this campaign, our operations must commence in less than a month from this, or it will be absolutely too late. It will then be much later than were to be wished, and with all the exertions that can be made, we shall probably be straitened in time.
'But I think it my duty to inform you, that our pros- pects of operating diminish in proportion as the effects of our applications to the respective States unfold ; and I am sorry to add, that we have every reason to apprehend, we. shall not be in a condition at all to undertake any thing decisive.
"The completion of our continental battalions to their full establishment of five hundred and four, rank and file, has been uniformly and justly held up as the basis of offensive operations.
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'How far we have fallen short of this, the following state of the levies received, and of the present deficiencies, will show.
'By a return of the 16th instant we had received from
New Hampshire, 457
Massachusetts, 2,898
Rhode Island, 502
Connecticut, 1,356
New York,
283
New Jersey,
165
Pennsylvania, 482
Rank and file, 6,143
'The deficiencies of the battalions from a return of the 12th, allowing for the levies since arrived, to the 16th,
Of New Hampshire, three battalions, . . 248
Of Massachusetts, including Jackson's adopt-
ed, 16 battalions, . 3,514
Of Rhode Island, 2 battalions, 198
Of Connecticut, including Webbs' battalion adopted, 9 battalions, 1,866
Of New York, 5 battalions, 1,234
Of New Jersey, 11 battalions,
2,768
Rank and file, 10,397
'If the amount of these deficiencies and the detached corps, necessarily on the frontier, and at particular posts, be deducted, and a proper allowance made for the ordi- nary casualties, and for the extra calls upon the army for wagoners, artificers, &c. it will be easy to conceive how inadequate our operating force must be to any capital enterprize against the enemy. It is indeed barely suffi- cient for defence.
'Hitherto all the militia for three months, that have taken the field under my orders, have been about 700 from New Hampshire, 1,700 from Massachusetts, 800 from New York, 500 from New Jersey.
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'A part of the eastern militia has been detained to assist our allies at Rhode Island, and will shortly march to join the army.
'But from all the information I have, the number of militia will fall as far short of the demand as the continen- tal troops; and from the slow manner in which the latter have for some time past come in, I fear we have had nearly the whole we are to expect.
'In the article of provisions, our prospects are equally unfavourable. We are now fed by a precarious supply from day to day.
'The commissary, from what has been done in the seve- ral States, so far from giving assurances of a continuance of this supply, speaks in the most discouraging terms, as you will perceive by the enclosed copy of a letter of the 15th instant, in which he proposes sending back the Penn- sylvania militia, who were to assemble at Trenton the 12th, on the principle of a failure of supplies.
'As to forage and transportation, our prospects are still worse. These have lately been principally procured by military impress, a mode too violent, unequal, oppressive, and consequently odious to the people, to be long prac- tised with success.
'In this state of things, gentlemen, I leave it to your own judgment to determine how little it will be in my power to answer the public expectations, unless more competent means can be, and are, without delay, put into my hands.
'From the communications of the general and admiral of our allies, the second division, without some very unfor- tunate contrariety, will in all probability arrive before the time mentioned as the ultimate period for commencing our operations.
'I submit it to you whether it will not be advisable im- mediately to lay before the several States, a view of our circumstances at this juncture, in consequence of which they may take their measures.
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'I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect and esteem, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,
'Go. WASHINGTON.
' The Honourable the Committee
of Congress for Co-operation.
'N. B. The returns of the Rhode-Island recruits, is to the last of July. More may have since joined.
"There is a body of Connecticut State troops and militia, stationed on the Sound, employed in preparing fascines.'
Letter from General Washington to George Plater, Esq., President of the Senate, and William Bruff, Speaker of the House of Delegates of Maryland, dated
'February 9th, 1781.
'Gentlemen,-I am honoured with your favour of the 27th ultimo. As the troops of Maryland compose part of the southern army now under the immediate command of major-general Green, I think there would be an impro- priety (as it may interfere with the arrangements of that army) to give general Smallwood directions to remain in Maryland for the purposes you mention ; but if his doing this is not incompatible with the orders or views of general Green, I have no objection to his remaining in that State till application can be made to general Green, who I make no doubt will acquiesce in a measure which seems calcu- lated for the public good, if general Smallwood's services from the army can be dispensed with.
'I have the honour to be, &c.
'Go. WASHINGTON.'
Letter from General Washington to Governor Lee, dated 'June 7, 1781.
'Sir,-By a resolve of congress of 31st May, two batta- lions of infantry and a corps of horse, consisting of sixty-
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four dragoons, are required of the State of Maryland, to serve for three months from the time of their respectively rendezvousing at the place or places directed by me.
'Your excellency has no doubt been made acquainted that the aforegoing requisition is founded upon the alarm- ing progress which the enemy are making in Virginia.
'You will be pleased, therefore, to give orders to the officers commanding the respective corps, to march by detachments as they are raised and equipped, to whatever place may be the head-quarters of the American army in Virginia or Maryland, (should the enemy have advanced into that State,) and take their further commands from the general or other commanding officer.
'I need but refer your excellency to the circular letter of the president of congress, of the Ist inst., for the reasons which ought to influence the exertions of your State, most particularly at this moment.
'I have the honour to be, &c.
'Go. WASHINGTON.'
. Extract of a letter from General Washington to Governor Lee, dated
'10th July, 1781.
'I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your excellency's favour of the 29th June. It is with very great satisfaction I observe the proceedings of the general assembly of your State, which you have been pleased to communicate to me.
'The exertions of that legislature have heretofore been laudable, and I am exceedingly glad to see the same spirit still prevailing. G. WASHINGTON.'
Letter from General Washington to Governor Lee.
'HEAD-QUARTERS, CHATHAM, 27th August, 1781.
'Sir-Official accounts which I have received, giving me reason to expect the arrival of a powerful fleet of our
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allies very soon in the Chesapeake, if not already there ; this expectation, together with some other circumstances not necessary at present to detail to your excellency, have induced me to make a total alteration in the concerted operations of this campaign. In consequence, I am now marching a very considerable detachment from the Ame- rican army, with the whole of the French troops, imme- diately to Virginia.
'As our hopes of success against lord Cornwallis, in a great measure depend on the despatch and celerity of our movements, I have to request in the most earnest manner, all the aid and assistance from your excellency, which we may have occasion for, and that may be in your power to afford us.
· 'Among these the means of transportation from the head of Elk to the point of operation, will be among the most essential. All the water craft that can be procured suit- able for the transportation of our army, with their artillery, baggage, stores, &c., will be needed, and should be ready at the head of Elk, by the Sth of September ; a quantity of forage will also be necessary for the cattle which will unavoidably attend the army. As I shall probably be dis- appointed of a quantity of salted provisions, which cannot with safety be conveyed from the eastern States, I must beg your excellency to pay particular attention to that article, if any is to be obtained in your State. - Other aids, as well in provisions as other articles, will probably be needed, which cannot at this moment be particularly specified.
'I communicate my intentions to your excellency, and have the fullest confidence that I shall receive every, aid and assistance that is in your power, towards their exe- cution.
' 'I expect to have no occasion to call on you for the aid of men, further than your State troops which are ordered
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to be raised, and which I hope you have already com- pleted.
'Mr. Robert Morris will have the principal agency in procuring the water craft mentioned; perhaps nothing more will be expected from your excellency in that arti- cle, than to afford Mr. Morris every aid which he may stand in need of, from government, in their procurement. This, I am persuaded, you will do with readiness and decision.
'The moment is critical-the opportunity is precious- the prospect is most happily favourable. I hope that no supineness or want of exertion on our own part, may prove the means of a fatal disappointment.
'I have the honour to be, with great sincerity of esteem and regard, your excellency's most obedient and humble servant, Go. WASHINGTON.
'P. S. Our forage will be principally wanted at the head of Elk, and from thence on the route to Georgetown.
'To his Excellency Governor Lee, of Maryland.'
Letter from General Washington to Governor Lee. 'MOUNT VERNON, 11th September, 1781.
'Sir,-I intended on passing through Maryland, to have done myself the pleasure to have called on your excel- lency, but circumstances pressing upon me, as I advanced on my march, and time slipping too fast from me, I found a necessity of getting on with that rapidity as has obliged me to proceed without calling at Annapolis.
'I am exceedingly pleased to find, as I passed through your State, that a spirit for exertion prevails universally in such manner as gives me the happiest prospects of receiving very effectual support from you.
'Great attention is necessary to be given to the article of supplies. I- mention this circumstance, as I am just informed from below, that the army is in distress at this
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moment for want of provisions, particularly flour; let me entreat your excellency to give every, the most expedi- tious relief on this head that is within your power.
'With very great regard and esteem, I have the honour to be your excellency's most obedient and most humble servant, Go. WASHINGTON.
'His Excellency Governor Lee.'
Letter from General Washington to Governor Lee. 'HEAD-QUARTERS, WILLIAMSBURGH, 15th Sept., 1781.
'Sir,-Your excellency has been informed, on hearing the French fleet had sailed from the capes, I had given orders to the troops which were embarked, to stop their proceedings. I am now happy to be able to inform your excellency, that the Count De Grasse is returned to his former station at Cape Henry, having driven the British fleet from the coast, formed a junction with the squadron of the Count De Barris, and captured two British frigates. The bay being thus secure, I have given orders for the troops to proceed with all possible despatch to the point of operation.
'I am distressed, my dear sir, to find on my arrival at Williamsburgh, that the supplies for the army here, are not in that desirable train that could be wished; they have already experienced a want of provisions, and are greatly apprehensive for the prospect in future, particu- larly in the article of bread ; all the flour within your reach should be immediately forwarded down, which may, I think, be speedily done, now that the navigation of the bay is secured. I beg, sir, that not a moment may be lost in furnishing us with every supply within your power.
'Happily if the fleet will remain with us, our prospects of success are most promising, if we are not wanting in our own exertions.
'An army cannot be kept together without supplies; if
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these fail us, our operations must cease, and all our highest hopes will vanish into disappointment and disgrace.
'With great regard and esteem, I have the honour to be your excellency's most obedient servant,
'Go. WASHINGTON.
P. S. If your excellency can assist us in procuring some axes and hatchets, and entrenching tools of all kinds, it will be a great advantage.
"We shall have much occasion for tools of this sort, and I find almost a total want here, and it will be difficult to make a collection from a small compass.
'To his Excellency Governor Lee.'
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Letter from General Washington to Governor Lee.
'HEAD-QUARTERS, BEFORE YORK, October 12th, 1781.
' Sir,-I was yesterday honoured with your excellency's favour of the 3d. Give me leave to return you my sin- cerest thanks for your exertions on the present occasion.
'The supplies granted by the State are so liberal, that they remove every apprehension of want. Col. Blaine has gone himself over to the eastern shore, to see that the cattle from thence are brought down to the proper landing, where they will be slaughtered, and the meat sufficiently salted to be transported by water.
Proper measures have been taken by the commissaries, to receive the cattle of the western shore, and to have them driven by land.
'Arrangements have also been made to send up the craft for flour, as fast as they discharge their lading of stores.
'I will desire col. Stewart to send up all the empty flour barrels that can be made of further use.
'We opened our first parallel on the night of the 6th, and established it completely with a loss too trifling to mention.
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'Our shells have done considerable damage in the town, and our fire from the cannon has been so heavy and well directed against the embrazures of the enemy's works, that they have been obliged during the day to withdraw their cannon and place them behind their merlins. -
'The Charon, of 44 guns, and two large transports, have been burnt by hot balls. The guns and stores had been previously taken out of the frigate. We last night ad- vanced our second parallel within 300 yards of the ene- my's works, without the least annoyance from them. Lord Cornwallis' conduct has hitherto been passive beyond con- ception ; he either has not the means of defence, or he intends to reserve himself until we approach very near him. A few days must determine whether he will or will not give much trouble.
'I have the honour to be, with great respect, your excel- lency's most obedient servant, Go. WASHINGTON.
' His Excellency Governor Lee.'
Extract of a letter from General Washington to Governor Lee, dated
' October, 1781.
'My present engagements will not allow me to add more than my congratulations on the happy event, (alluding to the surrender of the British army at York,) and to express the high sense I have of the powerful aid which I have derived from the State of Maryland, in complying with my every request to the executive of it.
'Go. WASHINGTON.'
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APPENDIX.
Letter from General Green to Governor Lee.
'HEAD-QUARTERS, SOUTH CAROLINA, -
December 20th, 1782. $
'Sir,-The evacuation of Charleston, so long expected, took place on the 14th instant. It is an event of great moment to America in general, and of the last importance to the southern States in particular.
'I beg leave to congratulate your excellency on the happy consequences that are likely to flow from it. It puts a period (at least for a time) to the distresses of a worthy people, and will give them an opportunity to re- cover from those misfortunes which the nature of the war inevitably exposed them to. Government will be at leisure to examine its state and condition, and society, so long disturbed by discordant interests, will combine its views and objects, and the people be induced to unite in their exertions to prevent a return of those difficulties under which they have so recently smarted.
'I have the honour to be, with great respect and esteem, your excellency's most obed't and most humble ser'vt,
1
'NATH. GREENE.
'His Excellency Governor Lee, Maryland.'
Letter from Colonel Armand to the Governor of Maryland .* 'MAHALISTER, IN PENNSYLVANIA, December 28th, 1783.
'Sir,-After having passed through the State over which you preside, I conceive it of my duty to express to your excellency the thanks of the legion under my command, and mine in particular, for the friendly dispositions and behaviour of the Marylanders towards us. The town of Frederick, in which we have made the longest station, has more particularly evidenced to us the worthy and high character of that country. Permit me to add here, that
* William Paca.
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APPENDIX.
where people are sensible as those, of the rights of mili- tary men to their attention and care, they do deserve having respectable troops as the Maryland line-and do create in others, wishes for the opportunity to serve them.
'I am, with great respect, your excellency's very-the most obedient, humble servant,
'ARMAND MOIS. LA ROUERIE.
'His Excellency the Governor of the State of Maryland, Annapolis.'
THE END.
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