From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 30 September 1779
To Major Henry Lee, Jr.
Head Quarters West-point 30th Sepr 1779.
Dr Sir
I herewith inclose you an extract of my latest intelligence from New-York, so far as it respects the particular business in which you are now engaged.1 I am of opinion that the numbers are over-rated—But the Count d’Estaign should he come this way, will determine for himself.
We have advice by a private letter from Philadelphia that on the 9th inst. the Count was to have attacked the British force in Savanna (Georgia)⟨.⟩ One of his officers had arrived at Charlestown with the intelligence of his approach.2
The commanding officer at Elizabeth Town has orders to communicate such imbarkations as may have taken place since the inclosed which was dated the 27th instant.3 I am Dr Sir your most obt Servt
Go: Washington
LS, in James McHenry’s writing, PWacD: Sol Feinstone Collection, on deposit at PPAmP; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. This enclosure has not been identified, but it probably was the intelligence report that GW received from Maj. Samuel Hayes; see GW to Hayes, this date.
2. The “private letter” has not been found; for GW’s description of the contents of the letter, which was from Deputy Q.M. Gen. John Mitchell, and for GW’s reply, see GW to George Clinton, 1 Oct., and n.2 to that document.
3. See GW to Hayes, this date.
4. The draft, also in McHenry’s writing, has “64.”
5. See GW to John Jay, 25 Sept., and n.11 to that document.