Title: To George Washington from Benjamin Tallmadge, 2 May 1781
From: Tallmadge, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

                        Sir
                            Wethersfield May 2d 1781 2 oClock in the morning

                        I have this moment recd Dispatches from Cu. which I have the honor to enclose to Your Excellency—The Author of
                            the letter signed S—G— is a Gentleman of my Acquaintance, & capable from his own knowledge, &
                            opportunities with which he is peculiarly favored; of giving information to be depended on. I had an
                            Interview whith him when last on L. I—& proposed to him to assist us in the way of
                            intelligence—I have hopes of his undertaking.
                        Since my last Letter to your Excellency from New Port, The Count De Rochambeau has requested me to open a
                            Channel of Intelligence from New York, via Long Island. I am convinced, from his Communication, that he has been much
                            imposed on, having been served with little more than common Reports on Long Island—I have engaged to furnish him with all
                            the Intelligence in my Power, & to establish such a Chain on Long Island as may render the
                            same the most expeditious & effectual. The old Channel thro’ Cu. Senior will be improved at any Rate, & as
                            the Count De Rochambeau will be able to furnish the necessary sums of specie, it will be best,
                            I conclude by all means to imploy some Person at N.Y. who may make it his Constant business to collect the necessary
                            information—Whatever Intelligence may pass thro’ my hands, I shall carefully report to Your Excellency, as heretofore,
                            & Shall be happy if my present Endeavours may answer the desired End. There is one inconvenience which must always
                            attend us while we receive Information by regular appointments (& this cannot be remedied across the sound) as many pieces of important information may intervene, before the time for the Boat to cross
                            shall come—However this inconvenience will be in some degree removed by making the appointments more frequent, Even tho’
                            nothing very material should take place—If I can employ some judicious Person at N. York I shall have occasion for a
                            little more of the Stain, as the frequence of Communication may render the matter more
                            suspicious.
                        I have also enclosed a Rough Draught of the Enemies Works at Brooklyn Ferry, taken by S.G. on the spot. I
                            have the honor to be, with the most perfect Respect, your Excellency’s most Obedt Servt

                            Benja. Tallmadge

                     Enclosure

                                Sir
                                 23 April
                                1781

                            Inclosed I Send you the report of a faith full person That I Imployed a few days
                                past to visit the Several places theerin mentiond—And think you may place much confidence theerin
                                & do assure you its more than I could possibly do—The Number of men at Loyds Neck is certainly not more than
                                    500 nor less than 400 fighting men—Them
                                of the Yagers and Anspack Regt about 800 Cantond from Oysterbay to Herrick, Sometimes a picket is at D—I think some of them might be taken I have made further
                                enquire about the embarcation under Genl Phillips—And am assur’d that better information respecting him, cannot be
                                procured than what have transmited. The enemy on the Island to all appearance rest as easy as if they had no enemies
                                to fear, hope you may disturbe them ere long.
                            A few days past I had a visit from C—Jur And am Sorry to informe you that he will
                                not write any more on any account whatever—And as yet neither of us can think of a Sutable person
                                to establish—Yet nevertheless Shall when receive you determination as proposed further endevour. If Should fail
                                Shall be exceedingly Sorry—I can allways procure verbal accounts from C—Jur and other persons of good observation
                                Similar to the present but it cannot be done without expence: a few days past a Spy left there
                                island and went to N. York in as much haste as perhaps ever any person traveled—haveing nothing further to
                                Say at present—I remain yours Sincerly

                                Samuel Culper

                                The person that procurd the inclosed knows not the Smallest link in our Chain if need Should
                                    require, I mean to imploy him at times knowing him to be capable and much used to armies and fortifications.

                     Enclosure

                                N.Y. April 29. 1781

                            As to the Situation of N. York, from the Bridge to the Grand Battery you are as well or better acquainted
                                with it than I am, at the Bridge there is a folding Gate on the middle and two Centries Stand at it. At the distance
                                of 40 Rods there is a Small Redout on a high piece of Ground on the Right. 1 1/2 Miles from thence is a Range of
                                Redoubts from North to South thro which you pass a Gate the redouts are each Side the Gate for a Small distance are
                                picketed, Pickets from the top of the works lie Horisontal pointing to the Eastward. On the left Adjoining are a No. of
                                    huts 1/4 mile from thence is about 50 huts on the Road, 3 Miles from thence is as many more a
                                1/4 of a mile from them is an encampment Similar & of an equal Number. No Guards from thence till you come to
                                Bayards mount where there is a Picket of 50 men every night. On the Grand Battery are 20 Cannon mounted As to the Navy
                                Admiral Arbuthnot & Graves are both there they have a fleet of 7 Sale of the Line and 4 Frigates. 3 of them of
                                the line were so Shattered in the Engagement, one of which is the Roburt, that they cannot be Ready to Sail under 10
                                days this I have from Rawley Lieut. of the Roburt with whom I had the Honour of Dining on the 26 Inst., he Aays the
                                Roburt had not a Rope of her Running Riging Standing nor a Mast or Spar, but what Suffered much Save their Bowsprit,
                                their Main mast was more than half Cut off. he at the same time says that their fleet was Safe won to the French by a
                                Surplus of 20 Guns.
                            The Cork fleet has arived with Provisions via Charles Town with a Frigate as Convoy. The No. of Troops in
                                N. York on Staten Island & L. Island are not less than 4000 nor to exceed 5000. There is an Expedition in hand
                                but for where I cannot assertain, a Great Number of Flat Bottomed Boats are preparing which Induces Some to think a
                                visit a long the Coast is in Agitation but it is only conjecture, be prepared if they Should
                                come, Orders have been twice given & countermanded, They cannot Sail yet They are
                                in a Peck of troubles on hearing that the French fleet are Ready & have actually Sailed I am &ca

                                S.G.


Title: From George Washington to Samuel Holden Parsons, 3 May 1781
From: Washington, George
To: Parsons, Samuel Holden

                            Dear SirHead Quarters New Windsor May 3d 1781

                        Your Letters of the 30th of April & 2nd of May, together with the Proceedings of the Court Marital
                            whereof Lt Col. Gray was President, have been handed to me by Capt. Walther.
                        I hope the Journey you propose will have a happy tendency towards the recovery of your health, & that
                            you will soon be enabled to join the Army again, after your return; ’tho I would not wish you to do it, so prematurely, as
                            to endanger a relapse.
                        Part of the intelligence you have been so obliging as to communicate I had received thro another Channel, but
                            not the whole. The intercepted Letter alluded to, said to be written by me to a Gentleman at the Southward, I suppose must
                            have been an official One addressed to the Speaker of the Assembly of Virginia, in which our situation in many respects
                            was pretty plainly delineated, but you may be assured, there were ideas held up in that Letter, which were by no means
                            grateful to the Enemy which have embarrassed them exceedingly and which will be a sufficient reason to prevent their
                            publishing the Contents of it at large to the World.
                        I am sorry to be forced to inform you, on the subject of your Pay, that there is not a farthing in the
                            military Chest, except some monies which have been sent on by particular States for the Payment of the Troops of their
                            Lines, & which cannot be appropriated to any other purpose. I am Dear Sir With very great regard Your Most Obed.
                            Servt

                            P.S. The Sentence of the Court Martial is approved—The Adjt Gen. will transmit the Warrant for
                                execution. Such of the Culprits at Danbury as are to be delivered over to the Civil Authority ought to be transferred
                                immediately. The remainder of the Prisoners should be disposed of, or secured in the best & most expeditious
                                manner, that the Detachment of Continental Troops may be marched to the army without delay, agreeably to my letter of
                                the 30th Ulto.


Title: From George Washington to James Clinton, 4 May 1781
From: Washington, George
To: Clinton, James

                        Dear Sir

                            Head Quarters New Windsor May 4th 1781.

                        Instantly on the receipt of your Letter of the 16th Ulto (which came to hand in two days from the date) I
                            dispatched a Copy of it to Congress; enforcing thereby the pointed representations, and earnest sollicitations, I was
                            making at that moment, respecting the supplies of the Army: how far Congress will be able to devise ways & means
                            for immediate releif, or induce the States to comply with their former requisitions, I cannot determine—but in the mean
                            time every possible exertion should be used, to obtain Bread from this State, and meat from the Counties of Massachusetts
                            most contiguous to you—And where persuasion, intreaty, & requisition fail of success, Military Coertion must be
                            made use of.
                        Rather than the Garrison of Fort Schuyler should fall; and the Frontier be again desolated & laid
                            waste, I am persuaded the State will make a great effort to afford a supply of flour for the Troops in that quarter—And I
                            confess, I see no other alternative, under our present circumstances.
                        With respect to provision of the meat kind; it must principally be drawn from the Deposits in the State of
                            Massachusetts nearest to you—Mr Oliver Phelps the State Agent (at Springfield I believe) will be able to inform at what
                            places & in what quantities the salted meat has been put up, for the use of the Continent. If you are not able to
                            have these Provisions transported, by the Public officers or to obtain Teams for the purpose, by an impress granted by the
                            Civil Authority—You will be at liberty to adopt compulsory Measures, and collect Teams by Military force, in such a
                            Manner, as to distress the Possessors of them as little as possible. Great prudence & effectual coertion, will be
                            necessary, and may be combined.
                        There is a quantity of Fish putting up on this River, of which the Troops at the Northward, may also have a
                            proportion. I am Dear Sir With great esteem & regard Your Most Obedt Servt

                            Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from William Heath, 4 May 1781
From: Heath, William
To: Washington, George

                            Dear General
                            West point May 4 1781

                        The enclosed news-paper came to hand the last evening. The officer commanding the water guards writes me,
                            "All accounts agree that there is the greatest preparation in New York for some movement—the Confederacy is arrived in New
                            York—is thought to be one of the finest ships in their navy."
                        I have been much indisposed this day or two past—but hope I shall shake it off. I have the honor to be With
                            the greatest respect Your Excellency’s most obed. servant

                            W. Heath


Title: From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 4 May 1781
From: Washington, George
To: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de

                            My dear Marquis,
                            New Windsor May 4th 1781.

                        The freedom of your communications is an evidence to me of the sincerety of your attachment—and every fresh
                            instance of this gives pleasure & adds strength to the band which unite us in friendship. In this light I view the
                            intimation contained in your letter of the 23d Ulto—from Alexandria—respecting the conduct of Mr Lund Washington.
                        Some days previous to the receipt of your letter—which only came to my hands yesterday—I received an acct of
                            this transaction from the Gentn himself, and immediately wrote, and forwarded, the answer of which the inclosed is a copy.
                            this Letter, which was written in the moment of my obtaining the first intimation of the matter may be considered as a
                            testimony of my disapprobatn of his conduct—and the transmission of it to you, as a proof of my friendship—because I wish
                            you to be assured that no man can condemn the measure more sincerely than I do.
                        A false idea—arising from the consideration of his being my Steward—& in that character was more the
                            trustee & guardian of my property than the representative of my honor has misled his judgment & plunged
                            him into error (upon the appearance of desertion in my Negros, and danger to my buildings) for sure I am, that no man is
                            more firmly opposed to the enemy than he—From a thorough conviction of this, and of his integrity I entrusted every
                            species of my property to his care—without reservation, or fear of his abusing it.
                        The last paragraph of my letter to him was occasion’d by an expression of his fear, that all the Estates
                            convenient to the River would be stripped of their Negros & moveable property.
                        I am very happy to find that desertion had ceased, & content had taken place in the detachment you
                            commanded. Before this letter can have reached you, you must have taken your ultimate Resolution upon the proposal
                            contained in my letters of the 21st & 22d of last month & have made the consequent arrangements. I shall
                            be silent therefore on the subject of them and only beg, in case you should not return to this army; & the Papers
                            were not lost with your other Baggage (on which event give me leave to express my concern) that you would permit Mr
                            Capitaine to furnish me with copies of the drafts, & remarks of the Pilots (taken at Colo. Deys) on the entrance
                            of the harbour of New York. It is possible they may be wanted—& I am not able to furnish them without your
                            assistance—Mrs Washington & the rest of my (small) family which at present consists only of Tilghman & Humphrey
                            join me in cordial salutations—& with sentiments of the purest esteem and most affectionate regard. I remain My dr
                            Marqs Yr most obedt & obliged Servt

                            Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 24 May 1781
From: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de
To: Washington, George

                        My dear General
                            May 24th 1781 Camp Near Bottom’s Creek

                        I request you will receive My Affectionate Aknowledgement for your kind letters. Every mark of friendship I
                            receive from you Adds to my Happiness as I love you with all the sincerity and Warmth of My Heart, and the sentiment I
                            feel for you goes to the very extent of my affections.
                        Inclosed I send you, my dear General, two Copies of letters to General Greene which I also have sent to
                            Congress for their information. You will also find Copies of the strange letters I Have Received from General phillips and
                            the Answers which if he does not Behave Better will Break off our Correspondence.
                        The leaving of My Artillery Appears a strange whim. But Had I waited for it, Richmond was lost, and Major
                            Galvan who Has exerted Himself to the utmost Cannot Be with us under two days as He never Could obtain or seize Horses for
                            the Artillery and Ammunition waggons. It is not without trouble I Have Made this Rapid March. General Phillips Has
                            expressed to an officer on flag the Astonishement He felt at our celerity, and When on the 30th As He was going to give
                            the signal to attak He recconnoitred our position Mr Osburn who was with Him says that He flew into a violent passion and
                            swore vengeance against me and the Corps I Had Brought with me.
                        I am However, uneasy, my dear general, and do not know what the public will think of our Conduct. The little
                            dependance they put upon the militia I cannot expose in an official letter. I cannot say that no Boats, no waggons, no
                            intelligence not one spy could Be obtained that if once I Had Been Maneuvring with phillips He Had every Advantage over
                            me—that a defeat would Have Scattered the militia, lost the few arms we Have, and knocked down this Handfull of
                            Continental troops. Great deal of michief Had Been already done. I did not know But what the ennemy meant to establish a
                            post. Under the Circumstances I thought it Better to fight on none But my own grounds, and to defeat the main and most
                            valuable object of the ennemy. Had I gone on the other side, the ennemy would Have given me the slip and taken Richmond,
                            leaving nothing to me But the Reputation of a Rash unexperienced young man. our stores could not Be Removed.
                        No orders from General Greene Have as yet come to me. I Cannot Conceive the Reason of his delay in answering
                            my letters. In the mean while philips is my object, and if with a thousand men I can Be opposed to three thousand in this
                            State I think I am useful to General Greene. in a former letter He tells me that his object is to divide the ennemy, and
                            Having no orders, I must be Regulated By His opinion. I wish He will call for the Pennsylvanians and leave me Here.
                        The ennemy are gone down the River. I Have detached some militia to Hood’s where I mean to make a fort. Clel
                            Ennis with an other Corps of militia is gone towards Williams Burg. His orders are, in Case the ennemy land there to Annoy
                            them, and in Case they mean to establish a post he is to disturb them Untill I arrive. This position is 16 miles from
                            Richmond, 42 from Williams Burg 60 from Frederis Burg. I Have sent an officer at Point Comfort and established a chain of
                            expresses to know if they appear to turn towards potowmack. Should it Be the case Frederis Burg will Have my Attention.
                            Having missed Richmond Mr Hunter’s works at Frederis Burg must be their next object as they are the only support of our
                            operations in the Southward.
                        Your first letters, my dear General, will perhaps tell me some thing more about your coming this way. How
                            Happy I would be to see you I Hope I need not to express. As you are pleased to give me the Choice, I frankly shall tell
                            my wishes. If you Cooperate with the french Against the place You know, I wish to Be at Head Quarters If some thing is
                            Cooperated in Virginia I will find myself very Happily Situated. For the present, in case my detachement Remains in this
                            State I wish not to Leave it as I Have a separate and Active command tho’ it does not promise great glory. But as you gave
                            me leave to do it I shall in a few days write to you more particularly on my private Concerns. it is not only on account
                            of my own situation that I wish the french fleet may Come into the Bay. Should they Come Even without troops it is ten to
                            one that they will Block up phillips in some Rivers and then I answer He is Ruined—Had I But ships my situation would Be
                            the most Agreable in the world.
                        Adieu, my dear General, you will make me Happy to write me some times—With the Highest Respect and most
                            tender affection Have the Honor to be Yours

                            Lafayette

                            My Respects to Mrs Washington and I beg leave to present compliments to the family.
                            Clel Vose is not determined to go untill the ennemy are more Remote. I Beg you will please only to know
                                the willingness of other Colonels without sending any untill I write more particularly to Your Excellency.


Title: From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 4 May 1781
From: Washington, George
To: Pickering, Timothy

                        Sir

                            Head Quarters New Windsor May 4th 7 oClock P.M. 1781

                        Alarming accounts of the state of Provisions at Fort Schuyler, having this moment been received, it is
                            necessary that an instantaneous exertion should be made, to throw a supply into that Garrison—You will therefore, cause a
                            transportation to be made, of 50 Barrels of Meat, and 50 Barrels of Flour to Albany, without a moments delay: the flour
                            can be taken from the Magazine at New Windsor—the meat (probably) from Fish-kill landing, as 60 Barrels came to that place
                            since the day before yesterday—if the meat is not there—enough for the occasion, is at Fish-kill Town, & must be
                            got to the landing & on board, as early as possible: it will be well to have the Vessel procured, got in
                            readiness, and the flour (and if possible the meat) put on board this night—the execution of the whole business, should be
                            trusted to the Most faithful and active persons, and conducted with the utmost expedition, as very much depends upon it. I
                            am Sir Your Most Obedient Humble Servant

                            Go: Washington

                            P.S. Please to forward the enclosed to Mr Stevens—to night—I shall have occasion to write to General
                                Clinton by the Vessel which carries the Provisions.


Title: From Tench Tilghman to Timothy Pickering, 4 May 1781
From: Tilghman, Tench
To: Pickering, Timothy

                        Dear Sir

                            Head Quarters 4th May 1781

                        His Excellency does not apprehend any danger from the Enemy who have lately made their appearance upon
                            Delaware, as the force of the Country and a detachment of the York Levies are opposed to them. But lest a lurking party
                            of disaffected may injure so valuable a deposit as the present, His Excellency has desired me to send you the inclosed
                            order to Colo. Dayton, which you will forward by the first Conveyance. I am yr most obt and hble Servt

                            Tench Tilghman A.D.C.


Title: From Tench Tilghman to Timothy Pickering, 4 May 1781
From: Tilghman, Tench
To: Pickering, Timothy

                            Head Quarters 4h May 1781.

                        Colo. pickering will be pleased to make the appointment and send it to His Excellency who will forward it to
                            Count de Rochambeau.

                            Tench Tilghman A.D.C.


Title: To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 4 May 1781
From: Rochambeau, Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de
To: Washington, George

                            Sir
                            Newport May 4th 1781

                        I this moment have received by a way which is known to your Excellency, intelligences of the 29th ulto from
                            New york which report that the English ships will, as they say, be repaired in ten days, and that they work very hard on
                            them; that in the mean time they are very uneasy least the french fleet be ready before them; that the garrison at Lloyd’s
                            neck does not consist of more than 400. or 500. fighting men, but that there are 800. yagers and of the anspach regiment
                            cantonned in the neighbourhood of Oyster bay, where they seem to me near enough to support the garrison. I have acquainted
                            the Chevalier Destouches with these particulars, and he has decided to send as soon as it will be possible, the only
                            frigate remaining here with a 16. gun Brig, as the romulus is a careening, and to send them in the sund to try the
                            accomplishment of some coup de main and vivacity upon huntingdon-Bay, where the small fleet of the refugie’s goes to
                            harbour he told me he could only take a board 75. men of our Land troops, with which he will arm his Shalloops, if he can
                            approach near enough to burn that small fleet. The rest of his fleet will be ready by the 15th of may and much about the
                            same time that of the British likewise.
                        I join here for your Perusal the extract of Letter from the Governor of St Domingo; we must hope
                            that these succours so much announced will arrive at last. I have received your
                            Excellency’s Letter of the 26th ulto I am so much the more pleased with the uncertainty of the preparations at New york
                            for that embarkation so much talked about, as Mr Wadsworth, who has undertaken the approvisionning of our army, looks on
                            it as impossible for my corps to make a movement by Land, before the end of may or begginning of June specially at the
                            West of Connecticut river.
                        I beg of you Excellency to forward the inclosed Letter to the Chevalier De La Luzerne, as soon and safely as
                            possible it mentions the very urgent necessities of the Colony of San Domingo. I am with respect and personal attachment
                            Sir, Your Excellency’s most obedient & humble Servant

                            le cte de rochambeau

                     Enclosure

                                Extract of a Letter from Mr Reynaud commander in chief at San Domingo, to the Count de rochambeau.
                                at the Cape, 10th april 1781

                            "The Last news from the Marquis de Bouillé are of the 22d ulto he was every minute expecting a squadron
                                of 20. or 24 ships of the Line, which the minister had announced to him, with a great many troops and a rich convoy,
                                and in the meant time, Martinico was Blocked up by 16. or 17. men of war and Admiral rodney was yet at Statia with
                                General Vaugham and 5. ships of the Line."


Title: To George Washington from Philip John Schuyler, 4 May 1781
From: Schuyler, Philip John
To: Washington, George

                            Dear Sir
                            Saratoga May 4th 1781

                        Yesterday I received under cover of a letter from General Clinton dated the proceeding the day copy of Your
                            Excellency’s letter of the 15th April, to Governor Clinton, with one from him of the 16th covering the Information given
                            by Harris; Mr Fish who delivered me those letters is a man of fair character and has given good evidence of invariable
                            attatchment to the cause of his country, Harris is an utter stranger to me; Fish delivered the inclosed as from Harris to
                            General Clinton who transmitted it to me—I have sent for Harris to meet me here on the 7th Instant, shall carefully
                            examine him and If he appears intelligent and that reliance may be placed in him, shall put him into a train to acquire
                            the full confidence of the Enemy that we may await ourselves of any intelligence he may obtain or of any letters which may
                            be confided to him.
                        The conduct of the Vermontese is mysterious and if the reports which generally prevail are well founded their
                            measures will certainly be attended with dangerous consequences to this and the other united States. I cannot however
                            believe that the bulk of the people are in the secret. I rather conjecture that the person whom we inspected last year to
                            have been in New York and some others are the only cupable ones, and that they amuse the people with making them believe
                            that the whole of their negociation with Halderman is merely calculated to give Congress and this
                            state, the Alarm that the Independance of Vermont may be acknowledged, I was anxious for ceeding the Jurisdiction beyond a
                            twenty mile line from Hudsons river, that their Independance might be immediately acknowledged and they made useful to the
                            Common cause but the Governor put a stop to the business "as the affair was referred to the decision of Congress" I
                            sincerely wish they would speedily decide, acknowledge them independant and admit them into the union, If this was
                            instantly done, the measures of their leaders would be brought to the test, and we should know If they had only tended to
                            bring about their independance, or to have connected themselves with the Enemy, but unless Congress are pushed to a
                            decision I believe they will do nothing in it, but who is to urge them I know not, the Governor cannot do It officially
                            and our delegates I believe will not unless they believe that the decision will go against the Vermontese.
                        If Harris’s Information be true that the Enemy Intend to take post at the south end of
                            Lake George, It strongly indicates they apprehend nothing from Vermont, and perhaps too that they have in contemplation a
                            movement from the Southward, whilst those from the north are intended so far at least to co-operate, as to compel us to
                            keep a respectable force in this quarter.
                        As soon as I was advised that the Enemies ships were arrived at crown point of which I assured Gen: Clinton
                            to give your Ex:  I dispatched an intelligent person who has heretofore been
                            employed by me, in the character of a Tory, to go on board he will probably obtain a knowledge of the enemies intentions,
                            so far as the officers may know it and be willing to communicate it to him, whom they believe to be a Royalist.
                        The few troops here have been ten days without meat, every eatable creature in this part
                                of the country is already expended, the only flour they now have I have been
                            obliged to procure on my own Credit to the amount of about one hundred barrels, but even with that unless meat speedily arrives, I fear a majority of the soldiers will Join the enemy which they may now
                            do without the least apprehension of being molested on their route.
                        Mrs Schuyler Joins me in best regards to Your & Your Lady. I am Dear Sir with the most perfect
                            respect & Esteem and with every friendly wish Your Excellencys most obedient Humble Servant

                            Ph: Schuyler


Title: To George Washington from Philip John Schuyler, 4 May 1781
From: Schuyler, Philip John
To: Washington, George

                            Dr Sir
                            May 4th 1781

                        the Inclosed is the paper which I mentioned in my Letter of this day and which I had forgot to Inclose, I am
                            Dr Sir your Excellencys Most Obedient Servant

                            Ph: Schuyler


Title: To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 4 May 1781
From: Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von]
To: Washington, George

                            4 May 1781

                        Maj. Lomagne will represent to your Excellency the present State of Colo. Armands Corps—the distress I was in
                            for Cavalry in Jany last obliged me to employ this Corps on the Lines at Portsmouth,
                            where by the activity of Mon. Lomagne they were extremely servicable, till they were so harrassed that
                            I was under the necessity of with drawing them from Service & sending thanks for your Activity & Military
                            Conduct since you have been under my Command. I am.


Title: From George Washington to Daniel Brodhead, 5 May 1781
From: Washington, George
To: Brodhead, Daniel

                        Sir

                            Head Quarters New Windsor 5th May 1781

                        Mr Fowler will put into your hands sundry Charges against Mr Duncan Dy Qr Mr General at Fort Pitt, on which
                            you will have him arrested and brought to trial—The proceedings you will transmit to me. should Mr Fowler bring Charges
                            against any other persons who may, from their Ranks or stations, be properly tried by the Court which shall be convened,
                            you will likewise arrest and bring them to trial. Inclosed you have a power for holding a Court.
                        Mr Fowler has charges also against Colo. Brodhead, who, on account of his Rank, cannot be tried at Fort Pitt.
                            You will therefore, after filling up the Blank for the name, deliver the enclosed deputation to the Gentleman who usually
                            officiates as Judge Advocate, and he will take the depositions of the parties on the spot, which will enable a Court
                            Martial with the Army to determine the matter. I am Sir Yr most obt Servt.

                            Colo. Brodhead or officer commanding Fort Pitt.


Title: From George Washington to Daniel Brodhead, 5 May 1781
From: Washington, George
To: Brodhead, Daniel

                        Dr Sir

                            Head Quarters New Windsor 5th May 1781

                        Mr Fowler having in a later letter to the president of Pennsylvania made several charges against you for mal
                            conduct in your command—The president of the state communicated it to Congress, who have been pleased there upon, to
                            direct me to investigate the matter and bring you to trial upon the matters alledged against you—Mr Fowlers charges having
                            been rather general, I have desired him to specify them, and to furnish you with a Copy of them—You must be sensible that
                            no Court can be constituted at Fort Pitt for the trial of an Officer of your Rank—It must therefore be held at the Army;
                            but as it will be impossible to bring down all the necessary Witnesses, the Judge Advocate General sends by this Conveyance
                            a deputation to the Gentleman usually officiating in that capacity at the post, authorising him to take depositions in the
                            presence of the parties. These, by a Resolve of Congress, are made admissible evidence in Court. When the necessary
                            depositions are finished, you will repair to the army and take your trial.
                        You will see the propriety of giving up the command to the Officer next in Rank while this business is
                            transacting—It will take off every objection that can be made against the validity of the depositions, as having been
                            taken under your influence as Commandant. I am &c.


Title: From George Washington to Alexander Fowler, 5 May 1781
From: Washington, George
To: Fowler, Alexander

                        Sir

                            Head Quarters New Windsor 5th May 1781

                        His Excellency the president of Congress has lately transmitted to me the Copy of a letter from you to the
                            president of Pennsylvania, in which, are a number of charges against Colonel Brodhead and the Deputy Qr Master General at
                            Fort Pitt for mal conduct, and insinuations against others not named—Congress have thereupon directed me to take measures
                            to have the matter investigated, and the delinquents brought to justice—You must be sensible that it is as difficult to
                            support as to defend a general charge, and as yours is chiefly of the latter nature, I am under the necessity of calling
                            upon you to specify these against the Dy Qr Master General or any other persons in the Staff department, and deliver them
                            to the commanding officer who has my orders to bring them to treat by Court Martial.
                        There is a necessity of proceeding in another manner against Colo. Brodhead. It being impossible to hold a
                            Court at Fort Pitt proper for the trial of an officer of his Rank, it must be done at the Army, and the proofs and defence
                            must be supported principally by depositions taken upon the spot, in presence of the parties, as all the Witnesses cannot
                            be brought down without infinite expence and much inconvenience—The Judge Advocate General sends a deputation to the
                            person usually officiating as Judge Advocate at the post authorising him to take the deposition—You will therefore specify
                            your Charges against Colo. Brodhead—deliver him a Copy of them and be ready when called upon to make the requisite
                            depositions—When the whole are finished—The Judge Advocate at the post will transmit them to the Judge Advocate General
                            and Colo. Brodhead will be ordered to attend for trial. If you yourself or any other Witnesses can make it convenient to
                            attend it will be well, for depositions should not be made use of but upon necessity. I am &a.


Title: From George Washington to William Heath, 5 May 1781
From: Washington, George
To: Heath, William

                        Dear Sir

                            Head Quarters New Windsor May 5th 1781

                        I was last evening favored with your Letters of the 3d and 4th Instant.
                        I am pleased to find the Recruits arrive in such numbers as you mention, and desire only that you will use
                            your discretion entirely, in barracking or encamping the Troops in the best manner possible to preserve their health—Straw
                            will be an essential article upon their first going into Tents.
                        I have not the least objection, that Colonel Tupper should take on the four months Pay to the Light Companies
                            of the Massachusetts Line—But I fear the carrying this money to such a distance from the State where it was emitted, will
                            have an unhappy tendency to depreciate its value, disappoint the expectations of the Troops, and the wishes of the State;
                            however these inconveniencies, I suppose, must be submitted to, in order to prevent greater—I shall have occasion to write
                            to the Marquis, by Col. Tupper, who, I expect, sets out on his Journey immediately.
                        In your Letter of the 29th of April you enquired, whether it was the intention to comprehend the Convention
                            Troops under the head of Prisoners? in answer to which, I should advise (altho it may not under all circumstances be
                            expedient to consider and exchange them as Prisoners particularly those who left that Corps at an early period) that they
                            should not be continued in the service, unless there are very strong reasons to convince the Officers of their attachment
                            to the Country; and that whenever they are dismissed in any way, the Towns from which they have been sent should be called
                            upon to make good the deficiencey.
                        The Recruits, who prove upon investigation to be Prisoners, may be confined in the Provost at Fishkill,
                            & their names returned to the Deputy Commissy of Prisoners at that place. I am Dear Sir With very great regard
                            & esteem Your Most Obedient Servt

                            Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 5 May 1781
From: Washington, George
To: Lafayette, Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de

                        My Dear Marquis

                            Head Quarters New Windsor May 5th 1781

                        I have received, with exceeding great satisfaction & pleasure your favor of the 18th of April, and am
                            extremely rejoiced to learn, that the spirit of discontent had so entirely subsided & that the practice of
                            desertion would probably be totally stopped, among the Troops under your Command.
                        The measures you had taken to obtain on your own Credit a supply of cloathing & necessaries for the
                            Detachment, must entitle you to all their gratitude & affection, and will, at the same time that it endears your
                            Name (if possible still more) to this Country; be an everlasting monument of your ardent zeal & attachment to its
                            cause & the establishment of its Independence—For my own part, my Dear Marquis, altho I stood in need of no new
                            proofs of your exertions & sacrifices in the Cause of America; I will confess to you, I shall not be able to
                            express the pleasing sensations I have experienced at your unparallel’d & repeated instances of generosity
                            & zeal for the Service, on every occasion. Suffer me only to pursue you, with my sincerest wishes, that your
                            successes & glory may always be equal to your merits.
                        I was troubled to be informed of the loss of your Baggage, but am happy to find that your private &
                            interesting Papers were not with it: Should the Map of the Harbour of New York with remarks made on it by the Pilots, not
                            have been lost, I could wish you would be so obliging as to forward it or a copy to me by some safe conveyance as it may
                            be eventually advantageous to have it here.
                        Colonel Tupper (who goes to releive Col. Vose) will have the honor to deliver this Letter to you. With every
                            sentiment of affection & esteem, I am My Dear Marquis.


Title: From Tench Tilghman to John Laurance, 5 May 1781
From: Tilghman, Tench
To: Laurance, John

                        Dear Sir

                            Head Quarters 5th May 1781

                        His Excellency has determined to have the Quarter Master at Fort pitt and all persons of proper Rank for such
                            a Court as can be held there to be tried upon the spot; which will save a quere of deposition and you a world of trouble.
                            But Brodhead must be determined upon deposition. If you will draw a proper deputation, leaving Blanks for the Name, it
                            shall be transmitted to the Officer next in Command to Colo. Brodhead with directions to fill up the
                            Blanks with the name of the Gentleman usually Officiating as Judge Advocate at the post. Were you to
                            address him a letter of instructions it might tend to more regularity in the issue. I am very sincerly Yours

                            T. Tilghman

                            Plaintiff. Alexander Fowler Esqr. Auditor of Accounts
                            Western department
                            Defendant Colo. Danl Brodhead.


Title: From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 5 May 1781
From: Washington, George
To: Reed, Joseph

                        Sir

                            Head Quarters New Windsor 5th-7 May 1781.

                        I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 14th of April, inclosing a remonstrance of Colonel
                            Proctor and the officers of his Regiment against the promotion of Captain Eustace to a Majority in it, and the late
                            annexation of Captain Simonds—I am not a little surprized to see Field officers, who certainly are acquainted with the
                            principles of promotion which have been understood and practiced upon far more than two years in the lines of Artillery
                            and Cavalry, joining their subordinate officers in complaints, which, upon investigation, will be found groundless: But I
                            am happy in addressing myself upon this occasion to your Excellency, who, having been upon the several Committees of
                            arrangment in the year 1778, must recollect the various modes of promotion which were then talked of, and the reasons
                            which led to the final adoption of the present system at the White plains.
                        The Error, which Colonel proctor and his officers is in, lies in supposing that their regiment, previous to
                            the arrangment of october the 3d 1780, belonged to any particular state—It is true Pennsylvania had
                            credit for them as part of her quota, but was not considered as having a right to interpose in making new appointments or
                            promotions after they were annexed to the Continent in 1777.
                        The resolves of september 16th 1776 and November 24th 1778, which they quote, relate merely to the lines of
                            Infantry belonging to the several states, and as an indubitable proof of this—the several States, tho’ extreemely
                            tenacious of their rights of making new appointments and confirming promotions in their lines of Infantry, have never, in
                            one single instance, attempted an interference in those of artillery and Cavalry, which have been understood to be lines
                            belonging to the Continent at large.
                        If your Excellency will be pleased, for your further satisfaction, to refer to the resolve of the 24th of
                            November 1778 founded upon the report of the Committee of arrangment at White plains, you will find throughout the whole
                            of it, a distinction made between the lines of states, which were the Infantry and the lines of Cavalry and Artillery.
                        The Gentlemen are pleased to observe—that the promotion of Captain Eustice to a Majority in their regiment
                            was partial and the only instance which has happened in the line of Artillery during this war. They will, upon reflection,
                            find, that it is the only instance which could possibly have happened—Major Forrest succeeded to the Lieut. Colonelcy by
                            the Death of Colonel Strabach and Captain Eustice as eldest Captain in the line of Artillery to the vacant Majority—There
                            have been no other occasions for promotions of Field officers in the line of Artillery or they would have taken place
                            in the same way, upon the same principles. This Rule has been so invariably pursued in the line of Cavalry, which is upon
                            the same footing with that of the Artillery, that the officers succeeding to vacancies have come and gone from one
                            extremity of the Continent to the other to take their new Command.
                        The annexation of Captain Simonds with his Company and Captain Porter with his to Colonel Proctors regiment
                            was a matter of necessity, and done in consequence of the new arrangment of the army by the resolve of the 3d of October
                                1780. Those Companies, tho’ originally raised in pennsylvania, had been annexed to Colonel Lambs
                            Battalion, and Captain Simonds had, in course of promotion, succeeded to the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of
                            Captain Lee—Lambs regiment had, by these means, two Companies more than the arrangment allowed, and proctors two less, it
                            was certainly then proper to transfer Porter and Simonds to the latter, more especially as their Companies had been as I
                            before mentioned, raised in Pennsylvania. But it could not be supposed that Captain Simonds was to be deprived of his rank
                            because he was not a Pennsylvanian. The officers of Colonel Lambs Battalion, who are Yorkers, might with equal justice say
                            that all those of Connecticut were thrust in upon them, (to use the remonstrants own word) when
                            that regiment was allotted to the state of New York.
                        After the regiments of Cavalry and Artillery had been, by the resolve of the 3d of October last, allotted to
                            particular states, it became a doubt whether the rules of promotion which had before governed could with propriety be
                            longer practiced under. I therefore wrote to Congress on the subject, and that, with several other regulations respecting
                            rank, is now under their consideration, but whatever may be their determination, it cannot effect former promotions.
                        I cannot conclude this subject without remarking that Colonel Proctor, upon the 9th of April, sent in his
                            resignation to me, alledging that the situation of his private affairs obliged him to quit the service. He need not then
                            upon the 19th have signed a remonstrance and accompanied it with a threat that he would resign if the prayer of it was not
                            granted.
                        The representation which Colonel Blaine made to me, of the Council having ordered the state Agent to send no
                            more supplies to the Army, was founded upon a letter which he had received from his Deputy in Philadelphia. That I might
                            not misapprehend a matter which appeared to me of a very singular nature, I call’d upon Colonel Blaine for an official
                            account in writing, with which he furnished me, and which I transmitted to Congress. I also transmitted the accounts
                            respecting Fort Pitt as I received them from Colonel Broadhead, and cannot therefore be answerable for any misrepresentations of his. Now I am upon the subject of provisions, I beg leave to address myself most seriously to Your
                            Excellency and the Council upon our present situation in respect to flour, and to point out the consequences which must
                            ensue if we are not liberally supplied by the state with that article. I must take the liberty of premising, that by the
                            information I have received from the Commissary General, there is a great deficiency of the quotas required by the
                            requisitions of 1779 and 1780. There are, by accounts, about two thousand Barrels between this place and Trenton—I do not
                            learn that there are any quantities at the places of deposit within the state—By the transference of so considerable a
                            part of the War to the southward, the supplies of Maryland and Virginia must be turned toward that quarter—Jersey, which
                            has been the principle residence of the army for several Campaigns, has furnished such quantities of Hay and Grain Forrage
                            and often times Meat in the Hour of distress, that we cannot expect a regular supply of the specific Articles demanded of
                            her, in addition to what is taken by impress and other means—New York, I may say with truth, hath exhausted her Credit and
                            resources, not that there is no Flour yet remaining, but Government have strained their exertions to that height, that the
                            people have almost been driven to open resistance: Indeed they are under very peculiar circumstances totally deprived of
                            Commerce and the most valuable part of their state in the hands of the enemy. Had it not been for a most vigorous step
                            which Governor Clinton ventured to take in the fore part of the winter, the army must have disbanded for want of Bread, as
                            our magazines were exhausted, and transportation by land was impracticable, had there been any thing to act upon. He
                            seized several hundred Barrels in the hands of private Merchants which they had purchased up to exchange for other
                            Articles. The New England states, as they do not produce Flour, are called upon for none—our dependance must then be upon
                            Deleware and Pennsylvania—Their supplies are ample and means must be found to draw them out—or the Army must disband, as
                            there is no other resource. In the present embarrassed state of Finance, little can be expected from the operation of
                            paper money—Specific demands should therefore, in my opinion, be made upon the people, and if they do not comply with
                            them, they cannot complain of compulsory measures—I would not be understood to dictate to your Excellency and the Council
                            the means they ought to pursue, but I think it a duty which I owe the public, and it is a liberty which I daily take with
                            the States which furnish the different kinds of supplies for the army to call upon them in the most pointed manner for the
                            Articles in which they are deficient, and to tell them without reserve what must be the consequence of a noncompliance
                            with the requistions made upon them. I have the honor to be with Respect and Esteem Yr Excellency’s Most Obedt servant

                            Go: Washington

                            P.S. 7th May

                            By letters just received from Brig: General Clinton, who commands at albany, I am very apprehensive that
                                the important part of Fort Schyler will be abandoned for want of provision—To prevent this if possible I have sent off
                                every Barrel of Beef in the Magazin, (being only 24) and shall trust to contingencies for a supply. I mention these
                                things to your Excellency to convince you of the necessity of making the exertions I have recommended, and to shew the
                                dreadfull consequences which must follow a non compliance. I have written as pressingly to the Eastern states for a
                                supply of Meat as I have done to you for that of Flour.

                            Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 5 May 1781
From: Rochambeau, Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de
To: Washington, George

                            Sir,
                            New port, May the 5th 1781.

                        I received Last night your Excellency’s two Letters of the 30th Ulto. Till now, that article of the New york
                            Gazette which mentions the Letter to Mr Laud Washington has been known by no body but me. I have not spoken of it to
                            the Chevalier Destouches. I did what I thought most consistent with a sincere heart, I wrote about it to your Excellency with
                            candor, being fully persuaded your Excellency’s answer would be wrote in the same style, and I wrote only to have the
                            means of smothering up that trifle, at its birth. I believe that the Chevalier Destouches is ignorant of it, as he has not said to me one word about it, and I shall
                            keep your Excellency’s Letter to put his mind at rest, in case he shewed the least uneasiness as to that matter. Your
                            Excellency is very much in the right to think that the Departure of the Chevalier Destouches was delayed from the 19th of
                            February, that he received your Excellency’s plan, to the Eight of March, by reason of his being in want of provisions. The
                            naval movements cannot be very speedy unless they be made in a well furnished harbour and your Excellency knows very well
                            what condition Rhode-island was in, when the British left it. I fear very much least the Land movements meet in this
                            country with impediments which human activity cannot prevent: Our friend Colonel Wadsworth writes me
                            continually that it will be impossible to make any movement before the beggining of June, that he has only pastures for our
                            horses and oxen, on the West–side of Connecticut river, and that they can only be ready at that time.
                        We have seen Last evening two Big vessels a cruizing off the harbour, they are either
                            Small British Line of Battle ships or Large frigates, I am afraid least they come by way of precaution and to ward off the
                            blow which the Chevalier Destouches is preparing to strike in the Sund. Mr De Beville is not yet
                            arrived and will be here only on the 6th or 7th instant. I am with respect and personal attachment, Sir, Your Excellency’s
                            most obedient humble Servant.

                            le cte de Rochambeau


Title: To George Washington from Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von] Steuben, 5 May 1781
From: Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin, Baron [von]
To: Washington, George

                            Sir
                            Camp—New Kent County Virginia 5 May 1781

                        Two days after I had the honor of addressing you my last the Marquis arrived with his Detachment at Richmond
                            and as he will inform your Excellency of the Operations of the Army I shall only add to my last, that of all the Articles
                            collected at Chesterfield Co. Ho. & Petersburg for the Equipment of the Levies not the least article fell into the Enemies
                            hands.
                        The Marquis de la Fayette now commanding the Army in the Field I shall only remain with
                            him so long as there is any probability of coming to action but when the Operations lead us too far from the place of
                            Rendezvous I shall think it my duty to return to fulfill my instructions from General Green in accelerating by my presence
                            the raising & forwarding to the southwd the new Levies I have already acquainted the Marquis of
                            my intention & obtaind his consent & in the mean time I have given orders to Colo. Davis to assemble the
                            Recruits Arms Cloathing &c. at a Rendezvous near Richmond. The articles we shall most want are Arms Cartridge
                            boxes, Cavalry swords & Blankets every thing else I am in hopes of getting from the state. with much respect I have
                            the honor to be Your Excellencys most Obedt hum. servt

                            steuben Maj. Genl


Title: General Orders, 6 May 1781
From: Washington, George
To:

                            Head Quarters New Windsor Sunday May 6th 1781
                            Parole
                            Countersigns.

                        John Powel soldier in the New Hampshire line who was tried by a General Court martial the 27th of April and
                            sentenced to suffer death which Sentence was approved and published in Orders the 30th of April is ordered to be executed
                            on friday next the 11th instant.


Title: To George Washington from Benjamin Franklin, 6 May 1781
From: Franklin, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

                            Dear Sir,
                            Passy May 6 1781

                        The Bearer Mr Grieve, goes to Virginia, with an Intention of settling there, where he has also some Business
                            in which you are concern’d. I beg leave to present him to your Exlleny as a Gentleman of Character, & who has long
                            distinguished himself in England as a firm Friend to the Cause of America. I purpose writing to you fully by Col: Laurens,
                            who will leave Paris in a few days. With great & Sincere Esteem, I am ever,

                                Benjamin Franklin


Title: From George Washington to William Heath, 6 May 1781
From: Washington, George
To: Heath, William

                        Dear Sir
                            Head Quarters New Windsor May 6th 1781

                        Your favor of yesterday has been handed to me—You will be persuaded, that, at the same time, I sympathise
                            sincerely with you, in your illness—I am by no means pleased with the unreasonable long absence of the General Officers,
                            which has rendered your presence with the Army hitherto indispensably necessary.
                        I have read the Proceedings of the Court Martial, and would have the sentences approved, which you will be
                            pleased to do in your Orders—The Proceedings are returned herewith. I am Dear Sir with very great esteem Your Most
                            Obedient & Hble Servant

                            Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from William Heath, 6 May 1781
From: Heath, William
To: Washington, George

                            Dear General,
                            Westpoint, May 6. 1781.

                        The enclosed news-paper came to hand the last evening; although of an elder date than the one I last sent,
                            may be one which your Excellency has not seen.
                        The officer on the lines writes me—that it was reported, a small fleet with troops on board, sailed lately
                            from New York—and that in the course of a week, another fleet was to sail.
                        The enclosed letter from General Clinton came to hand this morning. I apprehend he has written your
                            Excellency by the same conveyance, but have thought it might not be amiss to communicate the enclosed. I have the honor to
                            be With the greatest respect, your Excellency’s Most obedient servant

                            W. Heath

                     Enclosure

                                Dear Sir,
                                Albany May 1st 1781

                            I have been favored with your’s of the 17th inst. The Neglect of this Department in all most every
                                Instance has given me more Uneasiness than I can describe. The Troops have suffered beyond Measure for Want of
                                Provision—The Spirit of Desertion has taken Place, and unless a speedy Supply is received, every Post in the Department
                                must eventually be abandoned.
                            I have considered Spencer in the Light of a Prisoner of War, and given every Indulgance that
                                circumstances would justify.
                             The Detachment I had sent out, did not answer my Expectations so fully as I could wish; yet
                                several British Deserters & Prisoners of War were taken, a number of whom I send down to the Commissary of
                                Prisoners, not having it in my Power to maintain them.
                            The Enemy have done a little Mischief on the Frontier during the last Week, their Numbers were not known:
                                three Ships have arrived at Crown Point, and surely I am not in a Situation to oppose  an Incursion
                                into the Country.
                            I thank you for the Attention you have been pleased to show my Son: I hope he may not forfeit your
                                Esteem.
                            If any thing new should turn up I beg you to forward it to me, as I appear to be almost forgotten. I have
                                the Honor to be Dear Sir with great Esteem Your most hube Servt

                                James Clinton


Title: To George Washington from François-Louis-Arthur Thibaut, comte de Ménonville, 6 May 1781
From: Ménonville, François-Louis-Arthur Thibaut, comte de
To: Washington, George

                                6 May 1781

                        as I think myself intitled to hope the plainess and cander his Excellency has seen in my way of transacting
                            bussiness with him has had his approbation—I thought it would not be improper to offer to his consideration some few lines
                            written down in the same way in relation to the artillery to be put in newport from the stores of this kind belonging to
                            the continent or  particular states and I desire to answer to general chatellux about the matter
                            till I could receive from his Excellency further direction.
                        I must in the first place Lett his Excellency know that from some particular notions of mine I am somewhat
                            affraid it could be some mistake about the artillery said to be destined for the ships now building at Portsmouth so it
                            may happen if his Excellency relys entirely on that and drop all other means of providing for the works erected
                            at newport with the artilary necessary for their differences we could be exposed
                            to some iretrievable miscount further more as it is necessary to apply to the congress to obtain it the indispensable time
                            to come to an answer can perhaps be too long for the possable necesities of the circumstance.
                        so I concieve that without lying wholly aside this mean it would be in some degree useful to apply to the
                            neighboring states to obtain some  wanted for artilary and as by what I have heard from his
                            Excellency I am sensible that a pressing and peremptory recquisition on that be half would perhaps not
                            very conveniantly come from hisself could not such recquisition be made by the French general who on very obvious reasons
                            can be more easily excused for the improprety if any in the demand and may be more effectually operate on the minds of the
                            rulers of the several states specially if accompaned with some expressions of his Excellency approving of the demand.
                        If I am in the right in this my opinion his Excellency can either propose it descetly to
                            general Rochambeau or derect me to advise him of it by the way of general chatellux as all this Business has been till now
                            come to me by this channell.

                     Enclosure

                                    c.6 May 1781

                            Extract of the Orders of General Rochambeau to Dy Adjt General Menonville.
                            Mr Menonville must take notice of a letter from Docr Franklin to the president of Congress, to enable
                                himself to pay draughts on him by a supply of subsistence made by the United States for the French Forces serving in
                                America.
                            He shall likewise take notice of one Resolve of the Congress who approving the
                                proposition made by Dr Franklin promise to supply the French Troops with Flour—Corn—Meat
                                &c. to the amount of 400,000 dollars payable on the order of the Congress in France.
                            He will set out directly for New Windsor, where he is to confer with His Excellency General Washington on
                                this Business and the ingenuity of his Character is too well known to entertain the least doubt of his intention of
                                supplying the french Forces with every thing they can want, when the subsistence of his own army is secured, and it is
                                hoped he will let Mr Menonville know what can be depended upon without making the subsistence of the Continental Army
                                doubtful and precarious, and in the various stages the affairs can run in, in the course of the ensuing Campaign, when
                                all the Forces sent to the West Indies must be looked on as lastly directed this way, when supplies of men can come in
                                on a sudden—so it looks very important to know before hand what sort of supplies can be expected and afforded on both
                                sides, in some variety of probable cases and events.
                            this being the object of sending Mr Menonville to General Washington, he shall let it know to His
                                Excellency and take his orders to act accordingly with the Congress and he will continue his journey to
                                    Philad. with the Instruction he shall receive from His Excellency .


Title: To George Washington from John Moylan, 6 May 1781
From: Moylan, John
To: Washington, George

                            Sir
                            Newburgh 6th May 1781

                        I am this day Officially honored with my Apointment from Congress, for which, & the polite &
                            generous manner in which you are so kind as to Express yourself in my behalf, in your Letter of 23d febry I beg you will
                            Accept of my Sincere Thanks.
                        Be Assured, Sir, that nothing in my power shall be omitted to Justify the opinion you have been pleased to
                            Conceive of me & by a Steady adherence to the same line of Conduct wch has, thro’ your Excellency, Recommended me
                            to the Attention of Congress to deserve the Confidence they have done me the honor to Repose in me.
                        I wish to have the late Accts of the Department prepared for an Immediate Settlement, this I hope to Effect
                            in a few days, when I shall, with your Excellency’s permission proceed to Philadelphia, in order to Comply with what is
                            required of me, before I Enter into office. I have the honor to be with Every Sentiment of Gratitude
                            & Respect Yr Excellencys most Obedt Hble Servant

                            John Moylan C.G.


Title: To George Washington from John Flood, 6 May 1781
From: Flood, John
To: Washington, George

                                6 May 1781

                        Information given by John Flood who formerly lived at Maroneck & followed the water.
                        The harbour between City Island & Frogs Neck is very good for large Transports and 5 fathom water may
                            be carried into—the anchorage good—the harbour sufft to contain any number of Transports. a good harbour also between City
                            Island & Harts Isld 3 fathom water sufft for 50 Vessels—both these Islands are dry—City Island level—the other way
                            one eminence on it—the first is about a Mile in length the average width more than a quarter—no Trees
                            on it. Hart Isld is abt 3/4 of a Mile in length & narrower than the other this also is stript of its wood.
                            Transports can get within 4 Miles of the Town of Eastchester which will be about 3 Miles from the point of Frogs Neck. The
                            landing on the East side of Frogs Neck is good—on the west side it is still better as the shore is bolder. The distance
                            from City Island to frogs neck (nearest part) is about 2 Miles—but from the So. end of the Isld to the point of Frogs neck
                            is 4 Miles—Transports (he believes) can be with in half a mile of the neck & within half the
                                distance of the Island—between the Islands the distance is abt 3/4 of a Mile
                            & in many places the Transports may be with in 20 rods of either shore—there is no getting into either of
                                the harbours from the Eastward, with out passing between the south point of Hart Island &
                            the Long Island shore, at great neck, & Transports must pass within 3/4 of a Mile of the said neck the distance
                            across being less than a mile—the water is bold at the point of the Island—Vessels may go within 30 rod of the shore.
                            There is no good harbour Eastward of these for large Vessels—or any number of them
                            the shores being rocky & much exposed to the So. Et wind. From the South point of Hart Isld to the So. point of City
                            Isld is not more than 3/4 of a Mile. there is no getting into this Harbour—or that between City Island and Frogs neck with
                            Vessels which draw more than 8. feet water.


Title: To George Washington from Timothy Pickering, 6 May 1781
From: Pickering, Timothy
To: Washington, George

                        Sir,
                            Newburgh May 6. 1781 1/2 past 10. Evening

                        I find that one great cause of the failure of transportation of the salted provisions from Connecticut has
                            been the general want of forage; of private forage I mean. The farmers there in general have not a lock of hay for their
                            own stocks.
                        Your Excellency’s wishes are anticipated. Colo. Hughes went off yesterday from Fishkill by one o’clock for
                            Danbury (which I assure myself he reached last night) to forward the salted provisions from thence and the towns in its
                            vicinity; and I have lodged money in the hands of his assistant, Major Campbell, who will pay for the transportation on
                            the delivery of the meat at Peek’s kill landing. In my instructions to Colo. Hughes & Major Campbell I have
                            conformed to your Excellency’s directions on this head. If an attention to their farms at this season should occasion a
                            backwardness in the owners of teams to turn out, I have desired Colo. Hughes to make use of the military force on ths spot
                            to compel them. This to take place only in case the offer of a partial or even an intire payment for the transportation
                            should fail of its intended effect. From Colo. Hughes’s perfect knowledge of those parts of the country & great
                            activity, I cannot doubt the arrival of some salted provisions to morrow at Peek’s kill landing.
                        The original letters recd from your Excellency I return herewith.
                        I am not informed yet what steps Mr Pomeroy is taking since my last urgent letters to him
                            relative to an immediate supply & the general transportation of salted provisions, agreeably to former orders. I
                            am, with the greatest respect yr Excellency’s most obedt servant

                            T. Pickering
                            Q.M.G.

                            P.S. I would not detain the messenger to take a copy of this letter; & will thank your
                                Excellency to direct a copy to be sent me.


Title: From George Washington to John Pierce, 6 May 1781
From: Washington, George
To: Pierce, John

                            SirHead Quarters New Windsor May 6th 1781

                        As there is a sum of money sent on from the Eastern States, for the Payment of the Detachments from their Lines
                            under the command of the Marquis De la Fayette—I wish provision could be made to forward two or three Month pay, in
                            specie value, for the Company of Colonel Hazens Regiment on that Command—You will consider yourself authorized hereby to
                            make application for the same.
                         Lieut. Colonel Barber having been sent by the Marquis De la Fayette to negotiate the affairs of the
                            Detachment of the Jersey Line, it is to be presumed, that State has or will advance Money for their payment—in which case,
                            the Company from Col. Hazens Regt will be the only one unprovided for. And the sum necessary for the purpose being
                            inconsiderable, I hope it may be procured, and sent on by Colonel Tupper, who will deliver you this Letter. I am Sir Your
                            Most Obedt Serv.

                            Go: Washington


Title: To George Washington from Benjamin Tallmadge, 6 May 1781
From: Tallmadge, Benjamin
To: Washington, George

                            Sir
                            Wethersfield May 6th 1781

                        I had the honor to receive Your Excellency’s favor of the 30th ulto a few days past, the Contents of which
                            were in some measure answered in my letter of the 2d inst. I have given the most pressing Instructions to C. Senr
                            & others to put the Correspondence on a more advantageous footing. Depend on my Exertions,
                            & the earliest Communications of all Intelligence I may receive.
                        I take the liberty to enclose a letter for the Commissary of Prisoners. I have recd Information that some of
                            the Prisoners who were wounded in the Capture of Fort St George & left on Parole, are
                            actively in arms against us. The inclosed to Col. Skinner will give Him the necessary information.
                        When I had the Honor of seeing Your Excellency at Hartford, I mentioned the Circumstance of my application to
                            the Genl Assembly of this State for Remounts for the Regt & the ostensible Reasons of
                            its failure viz. because they had recd no particular Requisitions from Congress or the Commander in Chief for this
                            purpose. (Possibly this was the Case) Immediately after which I wrote to Col. Jameson at Philadelphia, to procure an order
                            of Congress for this purpose. I have not yet heard from him on the Subject.
                        In Consequence of a hint from some of the more liberal & leading Members of the Legislature, I take
                            the liberty to request that Your Excellency would be pleased (if it should not be judged improper) to mention to Governor
                            Trumbull the necessity of procuring Remounts for the Regt as well as the
                            propriety of its being done by this State, to which We are assigned as part of the Quota of her Troops. As we have but
                            about one Troop of horse now in the Regt & a prospect of getting nearly our Complement of Men, added to the
                            Circumstance of having no other Regt of American Cavalry in this Quarter for service the ensuing Campaign, I cannot but
                            hope that some more vigorous & speedy measures may be taken to put us on a more respectable footing. Agreeable to
                            your Excellency’s Orders I have engaged some sadlery work to be done for the Regt, so that I hope we shall not be wanting
                            in the article should we receive our Complement of Horses.
                        I expect Col. Sheldon will be at Hartford in a few days to attend the Assembly on the above business. I have
                            the Honor to be, with great Regard, Your Excellency’s most Obedt hble Servt

                            Benja. Tallmadge

                            P.S. By some naval Officers who left New York last Thursday, I am informed that the British Fleet fell
                                down to the Hook the day before, said to have about 2000 Troops on board—& that previous to
                                this, they impressed a number of Men from the City of N.Y. & took more than 200 Prisoners from the Prison
                                Ships, & put them on board their Ships of War.

                            B.T.


Title: From George Washington to François-Jean de Beauvoir, marquis de Chastellux, 7 May 1781
From: Washington, George
To: Chastellux, François-Jean de Beauvoir, marquis de

                            Dear Sir,
                            New Windsor 7th May 1781

                        Permit me, on this first occasion of writing to you, to begin my letter with congratulations on your
                            recovered health, & I offer them sincerely.
                        Colo. Menonville put into my hands two days since, your favor of the 29th Ulto—If my inclination was
                            seconded by the means, I should not fail to treat this Gentleman as the friend of my friend—and if it is not in my power
                            to comply with his wishes on the score of Provisions, I will deal with him candidly by communicating the causes.
                        I am impressed with too high a sense of the abilities and candor of the Chevalier Chartellus, to conceive
                            that he is capable of creating false hopes; his communication therefore of the West India intelligence comes with merited
                            force—and I would to God it were in my power to make the proper advantages of it! But, if you can recollect a private
                            conversation which I had with you in the Count de Rochambeaus Chamber, you will be perswaded it is not; especially when I
                            add, that the want, of which I then complained, exists in much greater force than it did at that moment; but such
                            preparations as can be made, I will make, for the events you allude to—The candid world, & well informed Officer,
                            will expect no more.
                        May you participate in those blessings you have invoked heaven for me—and may you live to see a happy
                            termination of a struggle which was begun, and has been continued for the purpose of rescueg America from impending
                            slavery, and securing to its Inhabitants their indubitable rights—in which you bear a conspicuous part—is the ardent wish of
                            Dr Sir—Yr Most Obedt & Most Hble Servt

                            Go: Washington


Title: From George Washington to George Clinton, 7 May 1781
From: Washington, George
To: Clinton, George

                        Dear Sir

                                Head Quarters New Windsor, N.Y.

                                May 7th 1781

                        I had the honor to receive, last night your Excellency’s letter of the
                            same date.
                        In consequence of Brigadr Clinton’s information of the 30th Ulto I
                            instantly ordered 50 Barrels of flour, & 34 of Meat (being every Barrel of the latter
                            we had on hand) to be sent to Albany; for a partial releif of the Garrison of Fort
                                Schuyler—I know it was very inadequate, but it was our all, since which not a Barrel of salted
                            Provision has arrived.
                        I have now directed 100 Barrels of flour (out of 131 which is our whole Magazine) to be immediately
                            transported to Albany—This supply, shall be followed by another of Meat, if any quantity should come in from the
                            Eastward—In the mean time I have written, some days since, to General Clinton to draw (by Military coercion if necessary)
                                whatever supplies have been collected for the Continent, from all the Counties
                            of Massachusetts most contiguous to him. I have also empowered him, to procure fish
                                by exchanging salt for them. Whatever more within the limit of my ability, can be
                            suggested or done for the security of Fort Schuyler, and the protection of the frontier shall be most seriously attended
                            to and strenuously attempted by Your Excellencys Most Obedient, and Very Humble Servant

                            Go: Washington

                            P.S. I shall be extremely happy to see you, in order to converse freely on the subject of the Troops
                                & Frontiers of this State.


Title: To George Washington from David Cobb, 7 May 1781
From: Cobb, David
To: Washington, George

                            My Dear Genll
                            Boston May 7th 1781

                        Your Letter of the 21st ulto, I receiv’d, and cou’d wish to have immediately obey’d its summons; but the
                            necessity of my private affairs still obliges me (tho painfull) to request your Excellency’s patience ’till the first of
                            next month; your Excellency may depend on it, that nothing shall detain me ’till then, but what is of the utmost
                            importance to my future wellfare. I am, with the greatest respect & esteem Your Excellency’s most obedient Servant

                            David Cobb