The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1852-07-01
Letter of George Washington.
Printed for the first time.

A citizen Of St Paul has Just shown US letter
preserv .tion. and its contents display the calm
ness and good judgement for which that great man
was distinguished.
1t was written during the memorable and
glorious year of l777. five days after the battle,
and few miles distant from Germantown, while
the army were on tn. way, previous to taking
up winter quarters at Valley Forge.
Washington, in Delaware, was at the time
occupied ny troops that had been landed from the
British fl et, AMI the Governor OF the state had
been taken prisoner 10y them.
The letter il written fra his he id-qu1rters, at
Frederick Winpa,Ie's, anI addressed to George
Potter an OH .er Of that portion of the army tha
came from i.ry,ni. east of Chesipe lke Bay
II * the intention Of the Gentleman to have it
propeIly framed, and Cor the present, deposi,e it
in the Territorial Library.
DEAR SIR:
person Of the Name of Pa +
teTson, Gan inhabltani of Wilmington can give
You particular account Of the Situation S,rens h
sc, of The Enemy at that place; from whence you
may Judge OF the practicability Of attempting
some,hins 10y way of Surprise (if YOUR numbers
are adequate upon the Garrison. After h; wing
made ever, necessary enquiry proper for Enter
prise of ths kind, let NE know the resuit by an
Otiirer, s whether the undertaking i, feasible
with, or without, little AID from hence
Your Enquiries into these matters should be
made with much Circuulspecton, to avoid giving
Narm-and your MAnouvres should b. toward the
Enemy and r.rnJrl,. n.c, s,,o ,ti, T., I,u ,h.,,,
INTO security, unless your own 9Th Is suif-
Gent To effect the work, in that Case The IA piy
OF the attempt may perhaps contribute to the
Success OF i.
You will readily perceive tina, nothing herein
Is positive, but altogether discretionary; to bs
undertaken or not Circumstances * lufor-
nation shall warrant II successful Blow cou ID
be aimed ut w !l'nn5ton, very happy consequences
would result from II, hesIdes possessing ourselves
@! the wounded which now there, for the pur-
pose OF exchanging for such Prisoners Of ours as
are III the Enemy's hands, but 10 the midst of
this, 1t Is not to be forgotten, that great Object
OF your Expedition is 10 deprive the Enemy of Sup
p.les from Chester County. and 10 intercept
their Conveys from Chester Town, Wilmington.
&c whilst our Defence upon the River obI,ges
them 10 have recourse to transportation Of
Necessarles by land from their Shpping-W
the communication between Philad'a * the
Enemy's Shipping well, and let me hear from YOU
frequently, especially on the Subject of the pro-
posed Expedition.
Patterson can point out others 10 you, (lnhib-
ltants of Nlnugton,) who. he thnNs, would
give ever. AID IN Their power; but then, danger
may attend the Communication of the Scheme to
TOO many-lf an Idea was thrown out tina, the
Corps that you command was the Eastern-shore
Militia returning, II might possibly remove Sus-
picion of the real design, il it should be found
practicable 10 make an attempt upon the Enemy
at Wilmington with Your troops alone.
atm Dear sir,
our mo- Ohed't tServan,,
Go. WASHINGTON.
Headquarters at Frederick }
Wdmpooie's, Oct. 8. I!77.
Brig Gen Potter.