Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1881-10-22
THE YORKTOWN SURRENDER.
An Interesting Document just come
to Light.
The Copy of the Original Dispatch
Sent by General Washington
to tho President OF
tho senate.

found i'll more than one of the his
tories of the revolution and its bat
tletields; but it seems to have hap
pened, 80 far as l have been able to
ascertain, that they have all omitted
the dispatch of Gen. Washington to
/ the president of congress-, in which
he announces the surrender, and con-
graduates that body upon the suspi-
| ci0us event. AS every important
paper connected with that tscrowDing
mel cy'' in the struggle for indopen-
| dence will be read with avidity on
the eve of the approaching centennial
anniversary, this official announce
| mant from the cOmmander-in-chlef of
the fatal blow which had been given
to British power OH this continent
cannot fall to attract attention.
tiud it in the Pennsylvania Packet of
| October 25, 1881, which rare Journal
is boarded up among the vast literary
treasures of the congressional Ii brary.
| The document with the introductory
statement from the Packet, is as fol-
lows:
| "PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 25.
This morning Col. Tilghnlan, aid
de-camp to his excellcncy, our illus
trious commandcr-iu-chief,a arrived in
town with tho following dispatches
| to tho president of congress:
| HEADQUARTERS, NEAR YORK,
October 10, 1881.
| SIR-I have the honor to inform
| congress that reduction of the Brit
ish army under tho command of Lord
CORVALLIS ls most happily effected.
The unremitting ardour which actu-
atcd every officer and soldier in the
combined army Oh this occasion, has
principally led to this important
event, at an earlier period than my
most sanguine hopes had induced me
to expect.
The singular spirit of emulation
which animated the whole army from
the commencement of our operations,
has filled my mind with tho highest
pleasure and Satisfaction, and had
given mo the happicst presages Of
success.
On tho l7th instant letter was re-
ceived from lord Cornwalls, propos-
ing meeting of commissioners to
| consult on terms for the surrender OF
This letter (the first which had passed
between us s)opened correspondence,
u copy OF which l do myself the
l doAVl " ChCiObO1 thoU SPSuuShCc
was Followed by tho definitive capi-
tulation, which was agreed to and
signed on the 10Th. Copy OF which
which l hope will meet the approba.
ton of congress.
should be wanting III feelings Of
gratitude did l not mention OIL this
occasion, with the warmest sense &C
1 ly rxYI ri In nh Ts.1
and able assistance which have re-
ceiyed i'll the course OF our operations
from his exceilency Count de Roch
ambeau, and all his officers from
every ru3ik III their respective capaci
tics. Nothing could equal this zea
of our allies but the emulating spiri
of the American officers; whose ar
UrlWouid not suffer their eXertions
to be exceeded.
The very uncommon degree Of dut.
and fatigue which the nature of th
service required from the officers o
engineers aald artillery OF both armie
+ obiiges ME particularly to mention
tho obligations l sm under to tn
commanding and other officers o
those corps.
l wish it was i'll my power 30 eX
! press to cougra5s how much feel my
self indeb ebt oh to the Count &c Grasse
, and the officers OF the fleet under bi
command, fer the distinguished ait
and support which has been afforded
, by them, between whom and tn
:, army the most happy concurrence O
a sentiments aud views have subsisied
= and from whom every possible &C
= operation has been experienced, ,whic
! the most harmonious intercours
a could afford.
ri Returns Uf tic prisoners, miiitar
stores, ordinance, shipping, and othc
Inattcr, | shal: 40 ~; self tho homo
to transmit 10 congress as soon as the
a eau be- collected nv The heads vi iii
~ departments 10 ...nch they belong.
IL Col. Lauroua aud The vlscouut q
-. NuailieF, on the part of the combine
ARMY, were th2 gentlemen WHO acte
rs commissioners ;or tui3nrsg aa
scttiiEg i'.c tyruts OF capitu ::tlion ui
IT. IutfG!:.t"r l.rfcwii:. transmitted.
Il "hosn l an: particularly obliged fC