7551From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 31 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just returned from Weathersfield at which I expected to have met with the Count de Rochambeau & Count de Barras, but the British fleet having made its appearance off Block Island, the Admiral did not think it prudent to leave New port. Count Rochambeau was only attended by Chevr Chattellux—Generals Knox and Duportail were with me. Upon a full consideration of our affairs in every point...
7552From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 25 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
You are immediately to proceed with the detachment commanded by Genl Poor and form a junction as expeditiously as possible with that under the commanded of Genl Scott. You are to use the most effectual means for gaining the enemys left flank and rear, and giving them every degree of annoyance—all continental parties that are already on the lines will be under your command and you will take...
7553From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 6 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my letter to you of yesterday, I have attentively considered of what vast importance it will be to reinforce Genl Greene as speedily as possible, more especially as there can be little doubt but the detachment under Genl Phillips, if not part of that now under the command of Genl Arnold, will ultimately join, or, in some degree, cooperate with Lord Cornwallis. I have communicated to the...
7554From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 26 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received yours of the 25th from Morris Town. I do not think it very probable that three hundred Dragoons will trust themselves in the heart of Connecticut with a superior regular Corps and the force of the Country to oppose them, but I have nevertheless given the intelligence to Duke Lauzun. Upon your arrival in Philada if not before, you will hear that a Body of Men, supposed to be a...
7555From George Washington to Lafayette, 10 May 1786 (Washington Papers)
The Letter which you did me the favor to write to me by Mr Barratt dated the 6th of Feby, together with the parcel & packages which accompanied it, came safely to hand; & for which I pray you to accept my grateful acknowledgments. The account given of your tour thro’ Prussia & other States of Germany, to Vienna & back; & of the Troops which you saw reviewed, in the pay of those Monarchs, at...
7556From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 29 December 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be accompanied by a letter from Congress, which will inform you, that a certain expedition, after a full consideration of all circumstances has been laid aside —I am sorry however for the delay it has occasioned you by remaining so long undecided. I am persuaded My Dear Marquis, there is no need of fresh proofs to convince you either of my affection for you personally or of the high...
7557From George Washington to Lafayette, 28 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
I have lately had the pleasure to receive two letters by which you introduced to my acquaintance M. Du Pont and M. Vanderkemp and (altho’ those gentlemen have not as yet been to visit me[)], you may be persuaded that whensoever I shall have the satisfaction of receiving them, it will be with all that attention to which their merits and your recommendations entitle them. Notwithstanding you are...
7558From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 15 June 1783 (Washington Papers)
You are too well acquainted with the merits of Colo. Gouvion to need my testimony either of his Services, abilities or worth; and yet, my wish to see them rewarded, induces me to repeat & even to impress them upon you—I do not take the liberty of bringing this officer directly before Monsr the Count de Segar but if the communication of my ideas of his deserts and my desire to serve him would...
7559From George Washington to Lafayette, 25 March 1787 (Washington Papers)
Since writing you a hasty letter in November last, by a vessel which was then passing my door, I have been honored with your kind and obliging favor of the 26th of October; for the affectionate sentiments with whch it is replite I pray you to accept my warmest and most grateful acknowledgments and the strongest assurances of everlasting Friendship. I am writing to you my Dear Sir but where...
7560From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 1 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
We are thus far, my dear Marquiss, ⟨o⟩n our way to New-York. Tomorrow the whole army was to have taken up its line of march, and would have moved with all the rapidity in our power to this object, had we not a few hours since received advice from the Sound, dated yesterday that the fleet of transports had put back, and were steering westward. Col. Sheldon by a letter come to hand this instant,...
7561From George Washington to Lafayette, 21 July 1787 (Washington Papers)
This letter will be presented to you by Mr Rucker, Partner in the House of Constable Rucker & Co. of New York and agent for Robert Morris Esqr. in France; on whose business he now is and whose instance I take the liberty of introducing him to your Civilities & to countenance if in the course of his transactions he shall stand in need of the latter. Mr Rucker is represented to me as a Gentleman...
7562From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 15 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have recd your letters of the 26th and 30th ulto and 1st Inst. I cannot learn that any troops have yet arrived at New York from Virginia. A fleet of 20 sail came in last saturday with troops, but they are said to be Hessian Recruits from Europe. The Concorde Frigate is arrived at Newport from Count de Grasse. He was to leave St Domingo the 3d of this month with a Fleet of between 25 and 29...
7563From George Washington to Lafayette, 25 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
I have to acknowledge & thank you for your several favors of the 9th of February—19th of March & 16th of April, with their enclosures; all of which (the last only yesterday) have been received since I had the honor to address you in February. I stand before you as a Culprit; but to repent & be forgiven are the precepts of Heaven: I do the former—do you practise the latter, & it will be...
7564From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 27 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 22d from Hartford. I perceive my Dear Marquis you are determined at all events to take New York, and that obstacles only increase your zeal. I am sorry our prospects instead of brightening grow duller. I have already written to you on the subject of arms. There is no probability of our getting the number we want from the states, so that without the timely...
7565From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 22 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since writing the inclosed your several letters (acknowledged in my public one of this date) are come to hand—all of them except that of the 12th arrived at Hd Quarters within the course of one hour. The reasons assigned in some of your letters—and others which have occurred to me—chiefly of a political nature—assure me that great advantages will be derived from your being wherever the French...
7566From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 14 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Soon after dispatching my last letter to you, your favor dated at Paramus was put into my hands by Colo. Gouvion—Yesterday brought me your letters of the 4th 5th & 5th in the Evening—and this day I have received another of the 9th. The Chevr De la Luzerne’s Dispatches came in time for the Post, which is the only means left me for conveyance of letters—there not being as much money in the hands...
7567From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 10 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
We are thus far, My Dear Marquis, on our way to you—The Count de Rochambeau has just arrived, General Chattelus will be here, and we propose (after resting tomorrow) to be at Fredericksburg on the night of the 12th.the 13th we shall reach New Castle, & the next day we expect the pleasure of seeing you at your Encampment. Should there be any danger as we approach you, I shall be obliged if you...
7568From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 31 December 1777 (Washington Papers)
Your favour of Yesterday conveyed to me fresh proof of that friendship and attachment which I have happily experienced since the first of our acquaintance, and for which I entertain sentiments of the purest affection. It will ever constitute part of my happiness to know that I stand well in your opinion, because I am satisfied that you can have no views to answer by throwing out false colours,...
7569From George Washington to Lafayette, 19 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
On thursday last I received in very good order, from Baltimore, under the care of Monsr Compoint, the most valuable things you could have sent me, a Jack & two she Asses, all of which are very fine. The Pheasants & Partridges are coming round by water; for these also I pray you to accept my thanks. Words, my dear Marquis, will not do justice to my feelings, when I acknowledge the obligation I...
7570From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 18 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Your polite and obliging letter of the 10th of Octr from Havre came to my hands since the begin[nin]g of this Month —It filled me with a pleasure intermixed with pain—To hear that you were well—to find you breathing the same affection[at]e sentiments that ever have most conspicuously markd your conduct towards me & that you continued to deliver them with unabated attachmt contributes greatly...
7571From George Washington to Lafayette, 19 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Renewing to you, my dear Sir, assurances of the most perfect esteem and affection, I desire to refer the interruptions which our correspondence has lately sustained, on my part, to causes which I am persuaded you will readily admit as excusable. To the fulfilment of public duties, too interesting to be neglected, and too multiplied to allow me much leisure, I am forced to sacrifice the wishes...
7572From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 3 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter on the subject of the corps raising by Col: Armand. You are sensible that it rests solely with Congress to determine the existence of a new corps and decide in an affair of this nature, If they should think proper to give their sanction to Col. Armand in the business he is engaged in, and in which by your representation he has made so considerable a progress, I...
7573From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 12 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
While I thought there was a probability of my letters finding you in France, I wrote frequently to you there; and very long epistles too—My last was dated the 15th of June—between that, & the letter which must have been handed to you by the Chevr Chartellux, I addressed three others, under the following dates—March 23d—April 5th—& May 10th—Subsequent to these I have been honored with your...
7574From George Washington to Lafayette, 21 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
Mr John Trumbull, with whom you are acquainted, is engaged in Painting a series of Pictures of the most important Events of the Revolution in this Country, from which he proposes to have plates engraved. I have taken peculiar satisfaction in giving eve⟨r⟩y proper aid in my power to a subscrip⟨tion⟩ for supporting this work, whic⟨h⟩ has been likewise patronized by the principle people in this...
7575From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 5 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received, with exceeding great satisfaction & pleasure your favor of the 18th of April, and am extremely rejoiced to learn, that the spirit of discontent had so entirely subsided & that the practice of desertion would probably be totally stopped, among the Troops under your Command. The measures you had taken to obtain on your own Credit a supply of cloathing & necessaries for the...
7576From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 9 December 1783 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of introducing to your acquaintance, Doct: Witherspoon President of the College of New Jersey & the bearer of this letter—It is with pleasure I can recommend him to your notice, as a Gentleman well known on this side the water for his Abilities & Literature; I therefore the more readily take the liberty of presenting him to you as worthy of your civilities. We have just now my...
7577From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 10 March 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving your two favors of the 19th and 23d February, and hasten to dispel those fears respecting Your Reputation, which are excited only by an uncommon degree of Sensibility—you seem to apprehend that censure proportioned to the disappointed expectations of the World, will fall on you in consequence of the failure of the Canadian Expedition—but in the first place,...
7578From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 1 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just received letters from The Count De Rochambeau and The Chevalier Des-touches, informing me of their intention to operate in Chesapeak bay with their whole fleet and a detachment of 1100 french troops grenadiers and Chasseurs included. The Chevalier expected to sail the fifth of this month, so that you will arrive at the head of Elk before he appears in the bay, He seems to make a...
7579From George Washington to Lafayette, 10 January 1788 (Washington Papers)
I fear my dear marqs, you will believe me to have been remiss in attentions to you. my last letters, I find, have been unaccountably concentered in the same hands and unreasonably delayed; entirely contrary to my expectation. when you shall have received them by the Chevalier Paul Jones, you will acquit me of any intended or real neglect. one of these letters containing the form of Government...
7580From George Washington to Lafayette, 4 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
I have no expectation, that this Letter will find you in France. Your favor of Novr to me, & of Deer to Congress, both announce your intention of making us a visit this Spring. On this hope I shall fully rely, & shall ardently long for the moment in which I can embrace you in America. Nothing could add more to the pleasure of this interview than the happiness of seeing Madame la Fayette with...
7581From George Washington to Lafayette, 23 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
You would scarcely expect to receive a letter from me at this place: a few hours before I set out for it, I as little expected to cross the Potomac again this winter, or even to be fifteen miles from home before the first of April, as I did to make you a visit in an air Balloon in France. I am here however, with Genl Gates, at the request of the Assembly of Virginia, to fix matters with the...
7582From George Washington to Lafayette, 11 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have received your affectionate letter of the 17 of March by one conveyance, and the token of victory gained by Liberty over Despotism by another: for both which testimonials of your friendship and regard I pray you to accept my sincerest thanks. In this great subject of triumph for the new World, and for humanity in general, it will never be forgotten how conspicuous a part you bore, and...
7583From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 4 October 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have had the pleasure of receiving, by the hands of Monsr de la Colombe, your favour of the 28th Ulto; accompanied by one of the 24th, which he overtook somewhere on the Road. The leave requested in the former, I am as much interested to grant, as to refuse my approbation of the Cartel, proposed in the latter. The generous Spirit of Chivalry, exploded by the rest of the World, finds a...
7584GW to Lafayette, 15 September 1788 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found: GW to Lafayette, 15 Sept. 1788. On 27 Nov. 1788 GW wrote Lafayette : “I wrote to you my dear Marquis, on the 15th day of September last.”
7585From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 26 December 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since my letter of the 14th Instt by Majr Franks (for the Post once a Week, & travellers accidentally—are all the conveyances I have)—Your favours of the 16th & 19th are both come to hand. My Sentiments respecting your serving in the Southern Army this Winter, were fully, though concisely explained in my last. if I was to add aught to the opinion there given, it should be to wait (as we are...
7586From George Washington to Lafayette, 12 April 1785 (Washington Papers)
Your letter of the 15th of Septr last year, introductory of Mr Duchi, I had the honor to receive a few days since. However great that Gentleman’s merits are, and however much I might be inclined to serve him, candor required me to tell him, as I now do you, that there is no opening (within my view) by which he could enter, & succeed in the line of his profession, in this Country. Besides being...
7587From George Washington to Lafayette, 28 July 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have, my dear Sir, to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of the 7 of March and 3 of May, and to thank you for the communications which they contain relative to your public affairs. I assure you I have often contemplated, with great anxiety, the danger to which you are personally exposed by your peculiar and delicate situation in the tumult of the times, and your letters are far from...
7588From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 26 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I received your favors of last night and this morning. I have given the most positive & pointed orders for provisions for your Detachment and am sorry that they have not arrived. In order that the Troops may be supplied, I wish you would always send up, an Active Officer in time to the Commissary, who might never leave him till he obtained the necessary supplies. This will be attended with...
7589From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 26 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
General Lee’s uneasiness on account of yesterday’s transaction rather increasing than abating, and your politeness in wishing to ease him of it, has induced me to detach him from this Army, with a part of it, to reinforce, or at least cover, the several detachments under your command, at present. At the same time that I felt for General Lee’s distress of mind, I have had an eye to your wishes,...
7590From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 4 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Since my last which was written (to the best of my recollection for not having my Papers with me I cannot have recourse to dates) in March both Armies continued quiet in their winter cantonments till about the first of May when a detachmt of abt 2000 of the Enemy under the command of General Matthew convoyed by Sir George Collier made a sudden invasion of a Neck of land comprehending...
7591From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 21 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Agreable to my Intentions communicated to you the 15th Instant—The Troops destined for the Southern Quarter are now in Motion—The American Detatchment is already on the West Side of the Hudson—The French Army I expect will reach the Ferry this Day—Our March will be continued with all the Dispatch that our Circumstances will admit. Immediately on Receipt of this you will be pleased to inform...
7592From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 7 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have received with infinite satisfaction, My Dear Marquis, the information of the Arrival of the Count de Grasse—And have an additional pleasure in finding that your ideas on every occasion have been, so consonant to my own, and that by your Military dispositions & prudent Measures you have anticipated all my wishes. Every thing has hitherto succeeded agreeably to my desires &...
7593From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 22 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since I wrote to you this morning I have received another letter from Major Lee by which I am informed that his account of the Return of the British Fleet to Sandy Hook was premature. Three Frigates only came in, and that gave rise to the report that the whole Fleet had returned—The Major adds—it is beleived that they are gone to the West Indies. But that is an Idea which I would not wish to...
7594From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 24 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have sent Major Gibbs to join your Corps in the room of Major Galvan, as you are so well acquainted with the former. I need say nothing more respecting him but that I am persuaded he will equal your most favorable expectations. It was impossible with any propriety to have ordered that Gentleman you Mentiond on that service, after he had been employed the whole of the last Campaign in the...
7595From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 1 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have this Moment received the inclosed Information of the Movement of the British Fleet—And as I view it a Matter of the greatest Moment that the French Admirals should have the earliest Intelligence I have made no delay to comunicate it to you. Our Troops are proceeding with as much Dispatch as possible In our Circumstances—the Van is beginning to arrive at this Place & the whole will...
7596From George Washington to Lafayette, 26 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : to Lafayette, 26 June 1778. GW apparently wrote four letters to Lafayette on this date. The first , written in the morning; the second, written around 6:30 p.m., has not been found. In his third letter to Lafayette of this date, docketed 8:30 p.m., GW refers to “my Letter written about two Hours ago,” ordering Lafayette to march on Englishtown.
7597From George Washington to Lafayette, 27 November 1788 (Washington Papers)
I wrote to you my dear Marquis, on the 15th day of September last, a very long letter, mostly on speculative and political topics. But as [I] knew that communication, by going through the French Post Offices, might be exposed to the inspection of other eyes besides yours, I was careful not to suggest any thing, which it might have been imprudent to divulge to the world. A little after sending...
7598From George Washington to Lafayette, 15 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
Altho’ the business of the Fœderal Convention is not yet clos’d, nor I, thereby, enabled to give you an account of its proceedings; yet, the opportunity afforded by Commodore Paul Jones’ Return to France is too favourable for me to omit informing you, that the present expectation of the members is, that it will end about the first of next month; when, or as soon after as it shall be in my...
7599From George Washington to Lafayette, 8 June 1786 (Washington Papers)
You would be surprised at the old date of the letter herewith sent you, were I not to tell you that the vessel which carries it was to have sailed agreeably to the date, & by information was to do so every day since. Nothing new has occurred since it was written, nor should I have given you the trouble of a second letter by the same ship, had I not forgotten to mention in my last that Mrs...
7600From George Washington to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 13 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since my last I have received your letters of the 10th 18th and 28th of June. I sincerely congratulate you on the favorable turn of Affairs announced in your last, and I hope you will be enabled to maintain that superiority which you seem to be gaining over Lord Cornwallis. We have had a variety of reports of General Greens further successes, in south Carolina, by some we are told that both...