1From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 16 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I hasten to impart to you the happiness I feel at the welcome news of your arrival; and as well in the name of the american army as in my own name to present you with an assurance, of our warmest sentiments for Allies, who have so generously come to our Aid. As a citizen of the United States and as a Soldier in the cause of liberty, I thankfully acknowledge this new mark of friendship from his...
2From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 19 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
On the first Acct of your arrival I did myself the honor to write you the letter annexed; but in momentary expectation of hearing from you, I thought it best to delay the departure of the Marquis till the arrival of your dispatches. These Monsr De Rochefontaine delivered me yesterday Afternoon. The assurances you give me of the ulterior intentions of His Most Christian Majesty add to our...
3From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 21 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive yesterday duplicate of your letter of the [ ]. Since the intelligence transmitted by the Marquis De la Fayette, I have received advices through different channels from New York that the enemy are preparing an embarkation of troops—that fifty transports have moved up the North River for this purpose—and the object of it is said to be your fleet and army. Though this...
4From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 27 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your letter of the 22d instant, which I immediately transmitted to His Excellency The Chevalier De la Luzerne. I am happy to learn the safe arrival of the missing transport at Boston. The precaution you recommend for giving notice to the second division is very necessary and important. It is probable the Delaware will be thought the best reception for the Troops,...
5From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 27 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of addressing your Excellency this morning. I have Just received advice from New York confirming our accounts heither-to of an embarkation to proceed up the Sound to Rhode Island. It is said to consist of the principal part of the Enemy’s Army, commanded by General Clinton in person; and was to have sailed this morning from White stone a few miles on the east side of hell gate,...
6From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 31 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 25th Instant reached me yesterday. Sir Henry Clinton has sailed as mentioned in my last with the principal part of his force to attack you—estimated at about eight thousand men; it cannot be more, nor do I suppose he would hazard the enterprise with a much less number. I am glad the inactivity of the Enemy has given you time to prepare; and relying on your abilities and the...
7From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 5 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your letter of the 30th July. I applaud all the measures you have taken, which appear to me precisely such as the occasion required, and I am very happy to hear that the neighbouring States manifested so much ardor in doing what their interest, their duty and their gratitude demanded from them. It is my wish you should detain the levies as long as you think they...
8From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 8 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 5th. The return of the enemy has been confirmed by my letters previous to this. Had they gone forward, your Excellency’s arrangements promised every thing favorable. I flatter myself the account you have transmitted respecting the second division will prove authentic: I think with your Excellency, that under present circumstances, the...
9From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 9 August 1780 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 9 Aug. 1780 . On 14 Aug., Rochambeau, referring to a letter to him from Major General Lafayette of 9 Aug., wrote GW: “Your Letter of the same date did not make the Least mention of it.”
10From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 16 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have sucessively received your two letters of the 8th and 10th. Other pressing occupations prevent my entering at this moment into the particulars of the last—I shall content myself with observing that I am happy to find our ideas substantially the same, and I hope a further explanation will obviate whatever little difference there may be. I have received advices that the enemy are again...
11From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 17 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
When I had the honor of writing to You yesterday—from the hurry I was in I omitted to mention, that Major General Heath would remain with You agreable to your request, till I should think it necessary for him to join the Army. I write to him upon the subject to day. I have also given the Minister my opinion in favor of the utility of your proposal for engaging Hessian Deserters. Your...
12From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 21 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
In the letter which I did myself the honor of writing to you the 16th I had only time to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 10th; since which I have had the pleasure of successively receiving your two others of the 14th & 17th. In the idea of an operation against New York it has always been a fundamental principle with me, that there ought to be a naval superiority to give such a prospect...
13From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 26 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received the honor of Your Excellency’s Letters of the 20th & 21st Instant, the last of which came to hand Yesterday Evening, and am much obliged for the matters of intelligence they contain, although some of them do not entirely correspond with our wishes. I am concerned for the situation of Capn Landais, as he has been esteemed an Officer of merit, and as his indisposition has...
14From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 4 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor of receiving your several letters of the 23d 27th & 29th, I am happy to hear that the Frigate and our friend have taken their departure under such favourable auspices—I join with you in the warmest wishes for their safety and expedition. By recent advices, there appears to be a large fleet of transports &ca prepareing at New York to sail—and it is added another embarkation...
15From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 12 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have not been honored with any of your Excellency’s favors since mine of the 4th instant—neither have I received any intelligences from New York contradicting what I communicated in that letter, on the contrary, the accounts seem confirmed. I have lately made an exchange of a considerable number of prisoners with Sir Henry Clinton—part of the British are at Rutland in Massachusetts Bay, and...
16From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 14 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received information from New York, that Admiral Rodney’s fleet with the transports which have been some time preparing, fell down to the Hook on Saturday last. The number of troops which they have on board is uncertain. If the Admiral with his ships of War, means to form a junction with Arbuthnot, you will soon perceive it by the augmentation of the fleet which keeps off Newport; if on...
17From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 16 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s favor of the 10th reached me yesterday. It gives me great pleasure to hear that your Troops have entered their Quarters, in a manner, agreeable to themselves and to the inhabitants. I shall be extremely happy in seeing the Chevalier de Chattelus—Count de Custine—Marquis de Laval and Count de deux ponts, at my Quarters. I will endeavour to render the time, which they spend...
18From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 27 November 1780 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged to your Excellency for the interesting particulars you do me the honor to communicate in your letters of the 18th & 20th. We may now hope everything for the safety of your valuable envoy and the important dispatches with which he is charged. Since the confirmation of Ferguson’s defeat & the retreat of Cornwallis to Camden, we have nothing new from the South, except an...
19From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 10 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your Excellency’s favors of the 14th 16th 24th and 27th of November and 1st of this month. In apology for suffering so many of your letters to remain so long unanswered, I must assure you, that I have been constantly employed, since I broke up my Camp near passaic Falls, in visiting the winter Cantonments of the Army between Morristown and this place. I have experienced the highest...
20From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 13 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have to inform your Excellency, that I have received an account from New York, that another embarkation was preparing at that place. The detachment which appears to be about 2500 Men is to be commanded by Generals Knyphausen and Phillips. The destination was not publicly known, but supposed to be to the Southward. This information does not come to me thro’ a Channel on which I perfectly...
21From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau and Rear Admiral Ternay, 15 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Two days ago, I did myself the honor to inform His Excellency the Count de Rochambeau, that Sir Henry Clinton was making another embarkation —this is since confirmed by other accounts, but I have received none yet which fix the particular Corps or numbers, with certainty—though all agree, that this detachment is intended as a reinforcement to Lord Cornwallis—that it is to consist of about 2500...
22From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 23 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your Excellency’s favors of the 8th Instt from Newport and 13th from Boston—I am obliged by your communication of the Letter from the commanding Officer at St Domingo but cannot help being anxious for the safety of Monsr Monteiuls Squadron. The intelligence brought by the Vessel from Nantes to Boston is very interesting I am in hopes that the Captn has good grounds...
23From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 3 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received your Excellency’s favor of the 19th of December. Since my last, which was on the 23d of December, I have gained intelligence, thro’ a channel on which I can depend, that the detachment which sailed from New York the 20th of last Month consisted of about 1600 Men, and was chiefly composed of drafts from the different British—German—and provincial Regiments. The Queens Rangers...
24From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 9 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 22d and 25th of December and 1st instant. The reasons assigned by your Excellency for declining, at this time, the enterprize, which I took the liberty to refer to your consideration, are weighty, but the representation made by the Chevalier Destouche, of the impossibility of going to Sea for want of Bread, renders the measure...
25From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 20 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I should have done myself the honor of writing sooner to your Excellency on the late disturbance in the Pennsylvania Line, had I not relied, that General Knox first, and afterwards Count Des Deux ponts would give you the most accurate account of this affair —and had I not been waiting to hear the event of it and collect the particulars to enable me to give you a more perfect idea of it. The...
26From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 24 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with your Excellency’s letter of the 10th and 13th instant. The 20th I had the pleasure of writing to you fully, principally on the subject of the Pensylvania line. It is with equal mortification and regret, I find myself obliged to add to that, the account of a second mutiny, which I had apprehended and which has lately taken place in the Jersey troops—When the...
27From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 29 January 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform your Excellency that the detachment sent against the Mutineers as Mentioned in my last, surrounded them in their Quarters on the Morning of the 27th and demanded an immediate surrender, which was complied with on their part without the least attempt to resist—Two of the principal actors were executed on the spot & the remainder pardoned. From the appearances of...
28From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 7 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am much obliged to you for the agreeable intelligence contained in your letter of the 29th of January. I hope the confirmation will have enabled Mr Des-touches to take advantage of the event, in a manner as advancive of his own glory, as of the good of the service. I impatiently wait further advices. By the last accounts from Virginia which come down to the 20th Arnold had reimbarked from...
29From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 14 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 2d, and am much obliged by the confidential communication of your dispatches from St Domingo. It is with pleasure I transmit your Excellency the Copy of a letter from Brigadier General Morgan to Major Genl Greene, giving an account of a decisive Victory gained by him over Lt Colo. Tarleton on the 17th of January. I am in hopes that this...
30From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 15 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
The Count de St Mesmes, last evening, did me the honor to deliver me your letter of the 3d instant. It appears by the report of the Naval Officer, that the enemy were inferior to the Chevr Des Touche, and from the situation of the Bedford and the America would probably remain so for some time—It appears also to have been your Excellency’s expectation that Mr Des Touche would either go with his...
31From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 19 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to congratulate Your Excellency on the safe arrival of the Viscount De Rochambeau at the Court of Versailles. My authority is derived from the President of Congress who in a letter of the 14th instant writes me thus: “By letters just come to hand from Mr Carmichael at Madrid, I am informed that the son of Count De Rochambeau is safe arrived in France”—I hope every thing...
32From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 24 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I am honored with Your Excellency’s letters of the 8th 12th and 18th since mine to you of the 19th. The important intelligence you do me the favour to communicate comes so many ways and with so many marks of authenticity that we have the greatest reason to hope it is true. If so, without the interference of other powers of which there seems to be no probability, I think we may regard it as an...
33From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 26 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inclose Your Excellency under a flying seal my letter to the Chevalier Des Touches in answer to his of the 20th instant, in which I explain more precisely the grounds and import of the propositions which I had the honor to make to him through you. I shall add to the observations contained in this letter, that so far as related to my proposition for a detachment of land...
34From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 27 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for the immediate communication contained in your letter of the 24th of the agreeable intelligence of the success of the naval detachment in Chesapeak bay—& I am happy to find at the same time that Mr Destouches was preparing a second detachment for an ulterior cooperation. I have renewed my orders to the Marquis De la Fayette who Commands the Corps sent from hence to push forward...
35From George Washington to Lieutenant General Rochambeau, 2 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
The third day after he left you, the Baron de Closen did me the pleasure of delivering me Your Excellency’s letter of the 25th. His diligence and zeal perfectly equalled your expectations. The important and agreeable intelligence, the dispatches by him contained, determined me to lose no time in setting out, to enjoy the satisfaction which I have been so long promising myself. I hope to arrive...
36From George Washington to Rochambeau, 1 February 1784 (Washington Papers)
Having resigned my public trust, and with it all my public cares into the hands of Congress; I now address myself to you in the character of a private Citizen on the banks of the Potomack, to which I have been retired (fast locked in Frost and Snow) since Christmas Eve. The tranquil walks of domestic life are now unfolding to my view; & promise a rich harvest of pleasing contemplation—in which...
37Appendix IV: To Rochambeau, 15 May (Washington Papers)
The letters with which you have honored the society of the Cincinnati have been read with attention, and the several subjects regarded with the most respectful consideration. It is a circumstance pleasing to the society that the Count De Rochambeau has so willingly become a member and interested himself in its reputation. The very liberal subscriptions made by the gentlemen of the french army...
38From George Washington to Rochambeau, 17 May 1784 (Washington Papers)
From the official letters and other proceedings of the general meeting of the Society of the Cincinnati, held at this place, and of which you have copies; you will obtain a thorough knowledge of what the Society have been doing, and the ground upon which it was done; to enter therefore into a further detail of the matter, in this letter, would be mere repetition—alike troublesome &...
39From George Washington to Rochambeau, 20 August 1784 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 16th of June by the Marquis de la Fayette, who arrived here three days ago—and for your other letter of the 4th of May which, also came safe, permit me to offer you my sincere congratulations on your appointment to the Government of Picardy. It is an honorable testimony of the approving smiles of your Prince, & a just reward for your Services & merit. Should...
40From George Washington to Rochambeau, 7 September 1785 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor to address you last, I have been favored with your letters of the 9th of Septr and 24th of Feby. The first enclosing a list of the new promotions, and the additional members of the Society of the Cincinnati as consented by the King; for which I thank you, as it will enable me to give answers to those Gentlemen who, unacquainted I presume, with his Majesty’s pleasure, are...
41From George Washington to Rochambeau, 1 December 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 2d of June, which you had the goodness to write to me at the moment of taking leave of the venerable Doctr Franklin, now lyes before me; and I read the renewed assurances of your friendship with sentiments of gratitude and pleasure, short of nothing but the satisfaction I should feel at seeing you; and the recollection of the hours, in which, toiling together, we formed our...
42From George Washington to Rochambeau, 31 July 1786 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honored with the two letters you were pleased to write to me in the months of Jany and March last: I need scarcely tell you that your communications always afford me the sincerest gratification—because they are always replete with the most friendly sentiments—because they insensibly bring to remembrance some circumstances of that pleasing & important period we so happily...
43From George Washington to Rochambeau, 8 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your letters of the 28th of June 1786 & 12th of may 1787. In the former you mentinon your having just returned from Holland and were so obliging as to give me an account of the state of political affairs in that Country. Since the time of your writing their intestine disputes have been brought to a crisis and appear to have terminated rather against the Patriots; What changes may...
44From George Washington to Rochambeau, 28 April 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have Just received the letter which you did me the honor to write to me on the 18th of January; and am sorry to learn that the Count de Grasse, our gallant coadjutor in the capture of Cornwallis, is no more. yet his death is not, perhaps, so much to be deplored as his latter days were to be pitied. It seemed as if an unfortunate and unrelenting destiny pursued him, to distroy the enjoyment...
45From George Washington to Rochambeau, 29 January 1789 (Washington Papers)
By some unusual delay in the conveyance of your kind letter dated the 15th of June last, I had not the satisfaction of receiving it before this time. As I am always happy in hearing of your prosperity, I would not defer expressing my obligations, by the first occasion. I had long Judged from the different public accounts I had seen, relative to the affairs of France, that you were nearly in...
46From George Washington to Rochambeau, 13 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with the receipt of your letters of the 31st of January and 17th of February last—and I should have had the pleasure to address you sooner, but a tedious indisposition, and very numerous avocations, since my recovery, have so entirely engaged my time as to leave me but very little, or no leisure for the agreeable duties of friendship. I embrace the obliging offer of His...
47From George Washington to Rochambeau, 10 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
The little anecdote which you recall to mind, my dear Count, of your Countrymen at Rhode Island who burnt their mouths with the hot soup, while mine waited leisurly for it to cool, perhaps, when politically applied in the manner you have done, has not less truth than pleasantry in its resemblance of national characters. But if there shall be no worse consequence resulting from too great...
48From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
By letters which I have met at this place from the Marquis de la Fayette I find that he was embarked and had determined to fall as low down the Chesapeak as Annapolis as the passage is more certain from thence than from Elk River. I have received advice from Colo. Dayton an intelligent Officer stationed near Elizabeth town that the British transports at New York fell down to the Hook on...
49From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 18 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I received intelligence last night from General Heath—that the British Transports which were supposed to have sailed from New York on the 9th returned again to the watering place on the 11th. Various are the conjectures and reports in New York upon the occasion, but I hope the true reason is, that finding the French Fleet a head of them, they did not chuse to risque the detachment. I shall...
50From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 21 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I arrived at this place yesterday at Noon. Upon my return I found intelligence contradicting that which I gave your Excellency from Hartford. The British Transports, I suppose, had made some change of disposition, which gave rise to the report of their having sailed and returned again to New York. I believe it may now be depended on that they sailed from the Hook the 13th instant. I am in...