copy I enclose, also, for the observation of Congress, a of my letter to the ministers of the United States at the courts of Europe, conveying to them the intelligence of our success in this State against the British troops. The reasons for this conduct, as stated in that letter, I must rely upon, as my justification with Congress for the liberty taken by me in that communication. Unacquainted with the state of politics between Congress and the courts of Europe respecting future negotiations, whatever our prospects from that quarter may be, I cannot justify myself to my own mind without urging Congress in the warmest terms to make every arrangement for an early and efficacious campaign the ensuing year, that may be found necessary. Arguments, I flatter myself, need not be adduced to impress on Congress the high importance of this idea. Whatever may be the events of the coming winter or ensuing summer, an effectual and early preparation for military operations will put us upon the most respectable footing, either for war or negotiation; while a relaxation will place us in a disreputable situation in point of peaceful prospects, and will certainly expose us to the most disgraceful disasters, in case of a continuance of the hostile disposition of our enemies. Nothing is yet heard fleet, near these coasts. be, Count de Grasse, I of Admiral Digby, with his Whatever his intentions may believe, is ready to meet him. I have the honor to be, &c. P. S. October 29th. despatch, I am favored tion of the Count de whom I hoped to have transported to Wilmington by His ideas are communicated in his letter to In the moment of closing my with the definitive determinaGrasse respecting the troops, water. the Marquis de Lafayette, a copy of which I transmit herewith.* In consequence of this resolution, and having no transports, I am obliged to send on the troops destined for the southern district by land. They will commence their march in a few days, under the command of Major-General St. Clair. The command of the expedition against Wilmington had been promised to the Marquis, upon the contingency of the troops being transported by water. On the failure of this event, the Marquis does not proceed with the reinforcement. My present despatch being important, I have committed it to the care of Colonel Humphreys, one of my aids-de-camp, whom for his attention, fidelity, and good services, I beg leave to recommend to the notice of Congress and your Excellency. Count de Grasse to Lafayette.-"The more I reflect on the plan which you mentioned to me, the more I see the impossibility of undertaking to transport troops, baggage, artillery, and ammunition. My ulterior operations require my return to an appointed place at a fixed day. That day approaches, and it would be impossible for me to break my engagement voluntarily. The passage from hence to Cape Fear may possibly be accomplished in two days, but it may also require more than fifteen. The debarkation of troops and stores may be attended with delays, and expose me to censure. Besides, it might happen, that, from an obstinate succession of southerly winds, I should be obliged to take the resolution of repairing to my rendezvous. Then I should be under the necessity of carrying with me, during the whole campaign, a detachment of troops useful to the Continent, of which I should be very sorry to deprive it. Thus, all that I can do, is to promise to escort as well as I can the vessels, that may have troops on board; but it will be impossible for me to remain on the coast beyond the 8th of next month; and even this delay must be repaired on my part by the greatest activity. If you are deficient in the means of embarking or debarking, let us think no more of the measure. But do not attribute my refusal to any thing, but the impossibility of executing a matter that was agreeable to you."-MS. Letter, October 26th. A long letter was likewise written by Count de Grasse to General Washington on the subject, stating the same objections, and expressing his regret, that the orders he was bound to follow, and the engagements he had made to be in the West Indies, prevented him from coöperating in this enterprise, which held out the fairest prospects of success. TO BRIGADIER-GENERAL DUPORTAIL. DEAR SIR, Camp, near York, 26 October, 1781. In answer to yours of the 24th, I beg leave to inform you, that as no immediate operation requires your presence in this country, I shall most cheerfully second your application to Congress for a six months' furlough for yourself and Colonel Gouvion, for the purpose of arranging your private affairs in France. The other request * appears to me to involve difficulties, that will deprive me of the pleasure, which, from a sense of your merit, I should feel on every possible occasion in promoting your views. In the present instance, the infringement of the rights of seniority in so many individuals, and the pretensions of some, who have particular claims upon their country, convince me that your desires could not be accomplished but at the expense of the tranquillity of the army. I cannot forbear adding at the same time, that it will always afford me the greatest pleasure to give the most particular testimony of the zeal, talents, and distinguished services of yourself and Colonel Gouvion; and I entreat you to be persuaded of my earnest wish, that you may receive, at a more convenient opportunity, those rewards from Congress, which you deserve. I am, &c.t * That Washington should encourage his application to Congress for promotion to the rank of major-general. In reply General Duportail said, that he was fully aware of the difficulties here stated, that it was not his desire or intention to interfere with the claims of other officers, but that he considered his case a peculiar one. He had come to America at the request of Congress, and served during the whole war, and thus thrown himself out of the line of promotion in the French army. He requested, that General Washington would not at any rate oppose his application to Congress. It will be seen hereafter, that this request was more than complied with, on the part of the Commander-in-chief. MY LORD, TO EARL CORNWALLIS. Camp, near York, 27 October, 1781. In answer to your Lordship's letter of this date, I can only express my surprise, that any of your officers object to a clause, which is essential in every parole, and repeat, that, however inclined I am to comply with your Lordship's wishes, I find myself in the impossibility of doing so on the present occasion. I request, therefore, that you will be pleased to communicate my final determination to the gentlemen, who have made difficulties on the subject, and exhort them to sign the form of parole which has been already adopted, if they are really desirous of going to New York and Europe. I have the honor to be, &c. TO THE PRESIDENT AND PROFESSORS OF THE 27 October, 1781. GENTLEMEN, I accept very kindly the address of the President and Professors of the University of William and Mary. The reduction of the British force in this State, for which I feel myself highly indebted to the noble exertions of our brave and generous allies, is a circumstance which gives me great pleasure, not only as it affords a return of peaceful security to many of my fellow citizens, but as it will, I hope, in its event be productive of more extensive good consequences. The seat of literature at Williamsburg has ever in my view been an object of veneration. As an institution important for its communication of useful learning, and conducive to the diffusion of the true principles of rational liberty, you may be assured, that it shall receive every encouragement and benefaction in my power towards its reestablishment. The sick and wounded of the army, whom my necessities have compelled me to trouble you with, shall be removed as soon as circumstances will permit, an event which will be as pleasing to me, as agreeable to you. I am, &c. SIR, TO COUNT DE GRASSE. Head-Quarters, 28 October, 1781. Your Excellency did me the honor to mention, in one of your letters, and subsequently in the note transmitted by the Marquis de Lafayette, that, from a desire to serve the United States, your Excellency would enter into engagements for such coöperations the next campaign as should not be incompatible with the orders. of your court. This offer is too essential to the interests of the common cause, not to be embraced by me with the greatest eagerness, while it claims my warmest acknowledgments for the continuance of your friendly disposition towards America. As it is impossible, at this distance of time, to determine whether it will be most advantageous for the allies to open the campaign with the siege of New York, and thence proceed to that of Charleston, or make Charleston the leading operation, I take the liberty of proposing to your Excellency the following general dispositions, as equally applicable to either; namely, that your Excellency would assemble a decisive naval superiority in the Bay of Chesapeake, towards the end of |