1Editorial Note (Washington Papers)
Lieutenant General Rochambeau had suggested in August that he and Rear Admiral Ternay meet GW to devise a strategy for taking New York City from the British. GW promised to meet them when it was safe to do so and directed Rochambeau to specify a location. Rochambeau chose Hartford, and GW then picked 20 Sept. for the gathering. Erroneously convinced that a fleet under French rear admiral...
2To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Hamilton, September 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Marquis De la Fayette by your order proposed New York as the object of the intended cooperation and assured the Count De Rochambeau that by a certain period we should have fourteen thousand Continental troops and six thousand militia, and shortly after four or six thousand more. It is of great importance to us that it should appear we are ready and in condition to act; our allies not—It...
3Notes for the Hartford Conference, September 1780 (Washington Papers)
We have between 12 & 13,000 Continentals in the Field—& have had more than 6000 M[iliti]a. Had the Second division of French force arrived in time —or had the whole come in the 1st instance, the resources of the Country would have been poured in upon us. Paint our distresses and wants—and the necesity of a Loan. distinguish between continued exertions—& one grand & vigorous effort. Three...
4From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau and Rear Admiral Ternay, 22 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
Reponses du gnl Washington. 1er Une Superiorite Navale et Constante est Essentielle pour agir en Amerique d’une Maniere decisive. 2ieme Newyork est Sans aucun doute le premier et le plus important object qu’on puisse avoir dans ce Continent. 3me Avec la Superiorite Navale l’attaque de Newyork demande un nombre de troupes double de celui qu’y auront les ennemis. la garnison actuelle devroit...
5Summary of the Hartford Conference, September 1780 or October 1780 (Washington Papers)
Summary of a Conversation between His Excellency General Washington, The Count De Rochambeau & The Chevalier De Ternay—exclusive of the contents of the paper dated at Hartford the 22nd Sept. 1780, signed by the parties. It was agreed that if the Count De Guichen should arrive by the beginning of October and a naval engagement should immediately take place, in which by a fortunate issue, The...