TO MAJOR-GENERAL GREENE.

DEAR SIR,

Newburg, 23 April, 1782.

Your apprehensions, in consequence of the movement of the legion of Lauzun, need not be much alarmed; the present situation of the enemy in New York, I am persuaded, will not afford any reinforcements to your quarter.

The recruits raising in the States, from which your army is drawn, are completing as far as circumstances will admit, and, if needed, will be ready to go to you as early as the operations of the campaign are decided; which, at present, from a variety of circumstances, among which a want of intelligence from Europe is not the least, are held in uncertainty. The State of Maryland had some time ago about three hundred men enlisted, and waiting only for their clothes, which have been sent on from Philadelphia. A number also is collected in Pennsylvania. But, until our information respecting the enemy's intentions, and their future mode of war, is more clearly ascertained, as well as our knowledge of the support and assistance, which we expect from our ally, it may not be well to hasten on the recruits to your army. You are not insensible of the disadvantages we have ever experienced in attempts to reinforce at your distance by land; it having hitherto proved a weakening of the main army, without any essential augmentation to yours.

In present circumstances, without the aid of naval forces and water conveyance, your own experience and the general knowledge you have of the country will readily decide upon the impracticability of transporting by land such heavy stores and artillery, as would be necessary for great operations. So that you have only

to content yourself with such a force as will be competent to the purpose of confining the enemy to their lines, and prevent them from carrying their ravages into the country. I wait with impatience for intelligence, which will decide the intentions of the enemy, and fix the operations of the campaign on our part. hope, is not far distant. I am, &c.

This, I

SIR,

TO THE CHEVALIER DE LA LUZERNE.

Newburg, 25 April, 1782.

I have had the honor to receive your Excellency's favor of the 18th instant, by Count Bieniewsky, and do myself the pleasure to congratulate you on your safe return to Philadelphia in good health. The plan, which the Count means to offer to the consideration of Congress, appears to be projected on a liberal scale, and, with some explanation and perhaps alteration, may be well worthy of their attention. This gentleman is fully possessed of my sentiments on the subject of his proposals, and is at liberty to make such use of them as he thinks proper. He will have the honor of communicating them to your Excellency, and of informing you, that, as they involve political as well as military considerations, I have confined my opinion to the latter parts of the plan. I shall take an early occasion to address you on the subject of your letter. In the mean time, I pray you to be assured, that, with every sentiment of the most perfect esteem, regard, and respect, and with much personal attachment,

I have the honor to be, &c.

SIR,

TO COUNT DE BIENIEWSKY.

Newburg, 27 April, 1782.

At your request, and in consequence of a letter from the Chevalier de la Luzerne, I have given to the plan, which you propose to present to Congress, all the consideration I am capable of, and beg leave to observe thereupon, that the utility of your plan for introducing a legionary corps of Germans into the service of the United States of America depends, in my opinion, upon the political state of affairs in Europe, the probability of the war's continuing, and the mode of conducting it; as also upon the time, which will be required to bring this corps into action.

Of the first, I have not the means of judging, but I think the second is not so problematical, as to induce Congress to reject a contract, which, with some alterations, and a surety of receiving the men in twelve months from this date, may be attended with considerable advantages.

Political considerations must, no doubt, have their influence in determining upon a plan of this nature and magnitude; and there may be an impropriety in my hazarding an opinion too pointedly on the policy of it; but, at your request, and at the desire of the minister of France, I shall offer my sentiments on the several articles in the order, in which they stand in the plan before me. With much esteem and regard, I am, Sir, &c.*

* The scheme proposed by Count de Bieniewsky was, that he would raise in Germany and transport to America a body of troops, consisting of three legionary corps of cavalry, infantry, grenadiers, chasseurs, and artillery, the whole amounting to three thousand four hundred and eightythree effective men; that they should be subject to the orders of the United States, and take the oaths of fidelity and allegiance; that he would agree to raise, clothe, arm, and bring them to the United States

W*

SIR,

TO GOVERNOR GREENE.

Head-Quarters, 27 April, 1782.

Though it is by no means my opinion, that the enemy will divide their force and again take possession of Rhode Island, there are some circumstances, which seem to carry such an appearance. I therefore think it would be highly imprudent, on our part, to leave any fortifications standing on the Island of Rhode Island, which may be of use to them in such an event. The works round Newport can, under no circumstances, be of any advantage to us, and I must therefore request your Excellency to cause them to be levelled immediately.

I am not well enough acquainted with the situation and nature of the work on Butts's Hill, to determine positively whether it ought to be destroyed or not. It appears to me, that, in case the enemy should reoccupy the island, it would be important for us to have possession of that ground; but whether, in such an event, possession could be kept, your Excellency must determine. I have no troops to spare to garrison it. If the work is tenable, might not a small guard be kept in it, and such arrangements be made, that, at the first signal of the appearance of a fleet, a number of militia might be thrown in sufficient to keep possession of it? Should you think this impracticable, I would wish the works to be destroyed. I have the honor to be, &c.

for the gross sum of five hundred and eighteen thousand livres; that a stipulated monthly payment should afterwards be made, and that they should have a grant of lands. Other conditions of a subordinate nature were suggested. The plan was examined by General Washington, who remarked in writing on some of its parts. The result was, that Count de Bieniewsky laid it before Congress. A committee, of which Mr. Madison was chairman, made a report upon it, which was adopted. "The zeal

TO THE SECRETARY AT WAR.

DEAR SIR,

Newburg, 27 April, 1782.

Finding the commissioners appointed to liquidate the accounts of moneys due for the maintenance of prisoners, and make permanent provision for their future support, have separated without accomplishing any thing, I think it highly expedient, that measures should be adopted, at this moment, for taking the German prisoners of war into our service. As this measure has been considerably agitated, I shall not amplify upon the justice and propriety of it, which to me seem very obvious. I am equally well persuaded of the policy there will be in augmenting every company with at least ten of these men, or more if they can be obtained; for I am convinced, that, by such an incorporation, they will make exceedingly cheap and valuable recruits, and, being able-bodied and disciplined men, they will give a strength and solidity to our regiments, which they will not otherwise acquire this campaign. All my accounts respecting the recruiting service are unfavorable; indeed, not a single recruit has arrived, to my knowledge, from any State except Rhode Island, in consequence of the requisitions of Congress in December last.

Should the plan be adopted by Congress, the sooner it is carried into execution the better. In that case, I think the men ought to be recruited for the continent, and not carried to the credit of the quotas of the State

for the American cause," say the committee, "which the author of it professes, and which the generous terms of the plan evince, have not failed to inspire a just esteem for his character and a disposition to favor his wishes. Considerations, however, which in no respect derogate from this esteem or this disposition, render it expedient for Congress to decline the offer, which has been made to them."-Journals, May 29th.