From George Washington to Major General Stirling, 19 May 1780
To Major General Stirling
Head Quarters Morris Town May 19th 1780.
My Lord
You will perceive by the inclosed letter from General Maxwell that there is a great diversity of opinions respecting the proper position for the Brigade1—I would ride down myself and view the different grounds, but I am engaged in business with the Committee of Congress2—I would therefore wish your Lordship to go down again in the morning with captain Rochefontaine and ultimately determine the matter—You are to keep two things in view—a position that will cover the Country, for which the Brigade was sent down—and a proper regard to its own security either from surprise or from an open attack.3 The people seem so exceedingly desirous of having it near Elizabeth Town, that I would gratify them as far as prudence would possibly admit—They cannot remain in the neighbourhood of the Town, without works of some kind, and yet from the uncertainty of their stay it does not appear worth while to throw up any of much cost or labor, or to destroy private property for the sake of a particular position—This must be the case, if the one generally approved, is fixed upon. It is an Orchard of Mr De Harts.4 Something should be determined speedily, for the Troops in their present unsetled situation are neither safe, nor answering the purposes for which they were sent down.5 I am Your Lordships Most Obet Servant
Go: Washington
P.s. I have instructed Genl Maxwell on the subject of the person taken carrying Deserters from us to the Enemy.6
LS, in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, NHi: Stirling Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. GW probably enclosed Brig. Gen. William Maxwell’s letter to him of 17 May.
2. GW is referring to the Committee at Headquarters.
3. For Captain Rochefontaine’s initial involvement in an encampment site for the New Jersey Brigade near Elizabeth, N.J., see GW to Maxwell, 19 May.
4. GW likely refers to orchards that John De Hart owned west of Elizabeth along the Elizabeth River and near the town’s barracks (see ).
5. Before receiving GW’s final determination, Maxwell moved his brigade about a mile from Elizabeth on 25 May (see his letters to GW of 26 and 28 May). For the eventual encampment site between Newark and Elizabeth, see GW to Maxwell, 28 May, and n.2 to that document.
6. See GW to Maxwell, this date.