I have been exceedingly distressed by the repeated accounts I have received of the sufferings of the troops on the frontier, and the terrible consequences which must ensue, unless they were speedily supplied. What gave a particular poignancy to the sting I felt on the occasion was my inability to afford relief. Such partial supplies as were on hand, to the very last barrel of meat, I ordered instantly to be sent, and have promised General Clinton what further succour the States will enable me to give. Major-General Heath has gone to the several eastern States, to enforce my pointed representations, to rouse them to more vigorous exertions, and to make arrangements for supplies during the

and that they amuse the people with making them believe that the whole of their negotiation with General Haldimand is merely calculated to give Congress and this State the alarm, that the independence of Vermont may be acknowledged.

"I was anxious for ceding the jurisdiction beyond a twenty-mile line from Hudson's River, that their independence 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 independent, 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 independence, or to connect 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." -MS. Letter, Saratoga, May 4th. The old feuds between the inhabitants of the New Hampshire Grants and New York had been kept alive by the refusal of New York to assent to the independence of the territory embracing those Grants, which had been recently called Vermont. The party dissensions in Congress had prevented a decision by that body, and in the mean time the people of Vermont set up a government of their own, and the leaders were determined not to submit on any terms to the domination of New York. In this state of mind the enemy tampered with them, and hoped for a time to bring them over. The attempt failed, and it appeared in the end, that there was never any serious intention on the part of the Vermontese to listen to the British proposals. The subject is explained in SPARKS's Life of Ethan Allen.

whole campaign. I cannot but hope this measure will be attended with success. I am, &c.

SIR,

TO THE CHEVALIER PAUL JONES.

New Windsor, 15 May, 1781.

My partial acquaintance with either our naval or commercial affairs makes it altogether impossible for me to account for the unfortunate delay of those articles of military stores and clothing, which I have been informed have been so long provided in France. If I had had any particular reason to suspect you of being accessory to that delay, which I assure you was not the case, my suspicions would have been removed by the very full and satisfactory answers, which you have, to the best of my judgment, made to the questions proposed to you by the Board of Admiralty, and upon which that Board have in their report to Congress testified the high sense, which they entertain of your merits and services.

Whether our naval affairs have been well or ill conducted, it would be presumptuous in me to determine. Instances of bravery and good conduct in several of our officers have not been wanting. Delicacy forbids me to mention the particular one, which has attracted the admiration of all the world, and influenced a most illustrious monarch to confer a mark of his favor, that can be attained only by a long and honorable service, or by the performance of some brilliant action. That you may long enjoy the reputation you have so justly acquired, is the sincere wish of Sir, &c.*

* Through the misunderstanding of various agents in France, and other causes, there had been an extraordinary delay in sending out the military

TO EZRA STYLES, PRESIDENT OF YALE COLLEGE.

SIR,

New Windsor, 15 May, 1781.

For the honor conferred on me by the President and Fellows of the University of Yale College, by the degree of Doctor of Laws, my warmest thanks are of

stores for the American army. Paul Jones arrived at Philadelphia, on the 18th of February, in command of the Ariel, with a cargo of these stores from L'Orient. Congress immediately ordered an inquiry into the cause of the delay. This duty devolved on the Board of Admiralty, who proposed forty-seven distinct queries, which Paul Jones answered fully and promptly, and to the entire satisfaction of Congress, as to the part he had acted in the matter. He sent to Washington a copy of the queries and of his answers. The Board reported;

"That, ever since Captain Jones first became an officer in the navy of these States, he has shown an unremitted attention in planning and executing enterprises calculated to promote the essential interest of our glorious cause; that in Europe, although in his expedition through the Irish channel in the Ranger he did not fully accomplish his purpose, yet he made the enemy feel, that it is in the power of a small squadron, under a brave and enterprising commander, to retaliate the conflagration of our defenceless towns, and took the Drake, a ship in number of guns and men superior to the Ranger, which she was sent out to capture; that, by his reputation and address, he obtained the command of a squadron, under the flag and laws of these States, at the expense of our generous allies, and therewith captured the Serapis and Scarborough, spreading universal alarm through the Island of Great Britain and its dependencies; that, in his expedition with that squadron, he made a number of prisoners, sufficient to redeem all our fellow-citizens in British dungeons, and established a cartel for their exchange; that he has made the flag of America respectable among the flags of other nations; that, returning from Europe, he brought with him the esteem of the greatest and best friend of America, and has received from the illustrious monarch of France that reward of warlike virtue, which his subjects obtain by a long series of faithful services or uncommon merit.

"The Board are of opinion, that the conduct of Captain John Paul Jones merits particular attention, and some distinguishing mark of approbation from the United States in Congress assembled."

The allusion in the closing part of Washington's letter is to the capture of the Serapis by Paul Jones in the Bon Homme Richard. For his valor and intrepidity on that occasion, the King of France ordered a sword to be presented to him; and permission was asked of Congress to invest him with the military Order of Merit.

fered; and the polite manner, in which you are pleased to request my acceptance of this distinguished mark of their favor, demands my grateful acknowledgments. That the college, over which you preside, may long continue a useful seminary of learning, and that you may be the happy instrument in the hand of Providence for raising it to honor and dignity, and making it promotive of the happiness of mankind, is the sincere wish of, Sir, &c.

TO COLONEL ALEXANDER SCAMMELL.

DEAR SIR,

New Windsor, 17 May, 1781.

I have received intelligence, that a party of the enemy are establishing themselves at or near Fort Lee, and building a blockhouse, or some kind of work. If they are permitted to complete their plan, it will not only be difficult to remove them, but they will harass the country from thence, and may be much in the way of some future operation. When I formed the battalion, which you at present command, it was with a view of having a corps ready to execute a project of the kind, which I propose to you, and that is, to endeavour to strike by surprise the party above mentioned.* You will without loss of time see Captain Lawrence, who commands the New York levies near Dobbs's Ferry, and concert measures with him for gaining certain intelligence of the real strength and situation of the enemy; and, if you find them such as seem to give you a tolerable certainty of success, you will plan your attack in such manner, as shall be best warranted from your

*This battalion consisted of four hundred men. The officers were a colonel, lieutenant-colonel, major, and eight captains.

information. The sooner it is done the better, as the enemy, if they are fortifying, will be every day stronger. You will take Captain Lawrence under your command, with the levies of New York and any Jersey militia you may find embodied; but you will trust no officer among them, nor any other but Lawrence, with your design. He is sensible and appears discreet.

As I confide very much in your prudence and judgment, I shall only give you these general directions; namely, to attempt nothing, which may have the appearance of rashness, and to guard well against being drawn into an ambuscade, or being intercepted by a sudden reinforcement from York Island. Captain Lawrence's party, who must be acquainted with every foot of the ground, ought to secure you against the former; and guards, at the practicable landing-places, will certainly prevent the latter. I shall set out in the morning for Connecticut, and shall be absent six or seven days. If you make the attempt, I wish you every success. I am with great regard, &c.*

SIR,

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

New Windsor, 17 May, 1781.

The Count de Rochambeau having received despatches from the court of France by his son, the Viscount de Rochambeau, who arrived at Boston in the frigate Concorde, on the 6th instant, has requested an interview with me. I have appointed the place of

* The party of the enemy, mentioned above, consisted of refugees, who landed on the west side of Hudson's River, and began to repair Fort Lee. They were recalled, however, as soon as Colonel Scammell's detachment marched into that quarter, and the works were abandoned.