From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 1 September 1778

To Henry Laurens

Head Qrs White plains Sept. 1st 1778
11 OClock A.M.

sir

I do myself the honor of transmitting you a Copy of a Letter I this minute received from General Sullivan.1 I congratulate Congress on the repulse of the Enemy—and only wish our Troops may be able to effect a retreat, which seems the most eligible measure they can pursue, in the present situation of things. I have the Honor to be with the greatest respect & esteem sir Yr Most Obedt servt

Go: Washington

LS, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DNA:PCC, item 152; Df, DLC:GW; copy, ScHi: Henry Laurens Papers; copy, PHi: Wayne Papers; copy, DNA:PCC, item 169; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. Congress read the letter on 4 Sept. and referred its enclosure to the committee of intelligence (see JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 12:880). The next day an extract of the letter was published with the enclosure by order of Congress (Pennsylvania Packet or the General Advertiser [Philadelphia], 5 Sept.). A transcript of this letter in the Bancroft Collection, Anthony Wayne Papers, at NN is misidentified as GW to Anthony Wayne.

1. See John Sullivan to GW, 29 August.

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Source Project: Washington Papers
Title: From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 1 September 1778
Author: Washington, George
Recipient: Laurens, Henry
Date: 1 September 1778

Reference

Cite as: “From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 1 September 1778,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-16-02-0504. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 16, 1 July–14 September 1778, ed. David R. Hoth. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2006, p. 464.]

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