11From 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...
12From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 25 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor of your Excellency’s Letter of the 22nd—The Packet for the Minister was immediately forwarded. We have yet no advices directly from Charles Town. I inclose your Excellency some of the latest New York and Philadelphia Papers. After you have read them be pleased to forward them to the Admiral—By the first it appears that Lord Howe’s Fleet had met with a severe gale of Wind,...
13Appendix 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...
14From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 July 1782 (Washington Papers)
In a Letter which I have this Day received from the Secretary at War, in the followg paragraph—"When our Troops retired from York Town in Virginia, a large Quantity of Ordnance & Ordnance Stores were left for the Use of the French Troops, who were to occupy that post—As the french Troops have left Virginia, I suppose our Artillery & Stores will be no longer wanted, if they are not, I think it...
15From 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...
16From 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...
17From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 17 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
Upon a full consideration of all circumstances I am of opinion, that the march of the French Army under your command had better be by the following Route , and on the following days. Sunday. 19th to North Castle 14 Miles. Monday, 20th to Kings Ferry 18 Do. Allowing for the common chances of Winds and Weather, it may take ’till Thursday 22nd to cross the North River. Friday 23d to Suffrans 16...
18From 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...
19From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 4 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I ask you ten thousand pardons for breaking the Seal of the Inclosed Letter, to your Address. It was put into my hands with other dispatches, and was opened before I discovered the mistake—It happened too, in the moment I was expecting Letters from Sir Guy Carleton. I have the honor to be with Sentiments of the most perfect esteem & regard Yr Excellys Most Obt Servt P.S. The Enemy were about...
20From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 23 April 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored by your Excellency’s Letter of the 6th instant—and thank you for the Communication of Genl Green’s of the 10th ulto—I think he need not be much alarmed on Account of the movement of the Legion—from the present Situation of the Enemy, I am persuaded no Reinforcement will be sent from N. York to Carolina. I am equally impatient with your Excellency, for Intelligence from...
21From 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...
22From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 15 October 1783 (Washington Papers)
With what words, My dear Count, shall I express to you the sensibility of a heart which you have warmed by the flattering sentiments that are conveyed in your Letters of the 14 of April, and 13th of July. Your Sovereign has a claim to my highest admiration, respect & veneration. Your Nation is entitled to all my gratitude—and those individuals of it who have been my Companions in War to my...
23From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive Your Excellencys Letter of the 8th and can assure you nothing on my part shall be wanting to induce Congress & the States to make as great preparations as possible for a combined operation & to improve every aid His Most Christian Majesty may be pleased to afford to the best advantage. It was with extreme Satisfaction I heard the joyful News of the birth of a...
24From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 9 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellencys favors of the 12th and 22d ulto the last inclosing Copies of General Greene’s letter to you and your answer—After informing you, that I concur with you in opinion, that it would not be politic, at this moment, to move a detachment from your main Body to the southward, permit me to assure you that I very sensibly feel your goodness in determining to...
25From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 29 December 1782 (Washington Papers)
It is with infinite satisfaction I embrace the earliest opportunity of sending to Philadelphia the Cannon which Congress were pleased to present to your Excellency in testimony of their Sense of the illustrious part you bore in the capture of the British Army under Lord Cornwallis at York in Virginia. The Carriages will follow by another Conveyance; but as they were not quite ready, I could...
26From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 1 July 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s Favor of last Night—and feel myself much obliged by the Readiness with which you comply to the Request I had the Honor to make to you in my last. The Information conveyed by your Excellency, I had before received; altho not in so pointed a View with Respect to Numbers. The Enemy’s Apprehensions of our Intention, & the Probability I had reason to...
27From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 8 January 1782 (Washington Papers)
In my last I barely acknowledged the Rect of your Excellency’s favr of the 18th of Decemr. I have since been honored with that of the 24th. I am fearful that the Expresses between this place and Williamsburg are badly regulated, and I shall upon the return of the Quarter Master Genl from the North River endeavour to have things put in better train. I am extremely sorry to hear of the loss of...
28From 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...
29From 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...
30From 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...
31From 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...
32From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 1 November 1783 (Washington Papers)
Since my last, written about a fortnight ago, and put into the hands of General Duportail to be conveyed to you, I have been honored with your favor the 24th of April from Paris—Be assured, My dear Sir, that these repeated assurances of your friendship, and frequent of your affection for me are pleasingly grateful and make a deep impression on my Mind. Could I so far flatter my vanity as to...
33From 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...
34From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 3 September 1781 (Washington Papers)
From the head of Elk the Cavalry, Carriages & such Artillery as may be sent by Land, will proceed by the following Rout. Lower ferry on Susquehanna. Baltimore. Elk ridge Landing Bladensburg. George Town—on Potomack River. From hence a Rout must be pursued to Fredericksburg, that will avoid an inconvenient ferry over Occoquan and Rappahannock River at the Town of Fredericksburg. The former may,...
35From 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...
36From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 7 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I do myself the Honor to inclose Your Excellency a Martinico Gazette of the 3rd of May which announces the Arrival of the Count de Grasse and gives an imperfect Account of the Action between the Fleets. This was sent me by the Minister with a Desire that it might be forwarded to You. But by Intelligence as late as the 8th of May it appears that the Count, unable to overtake Hood, had returned...
37From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 3 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
In my Letter of the 31st Ulto I informed Your Excellency, that there had been an Action between General Greene and Lord Cornwallis on the 15th of March; the particulars of which had not then been received. I have now the honor of enclosing the Copy of a Letter from Major General Greene, in which he gives the circumstances of that Engagement in detail: from this, and other Accounts, I cannot...
38From 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...
39From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 4 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I had, last Evening, the honor of receiving your favor of the 31st of May, by the Duke de Lauzun, who informs me, that he is authorised by your Excellency and the Count de Barras to enter into a free communciation with me, upon the subject of the Council of War held on board the Duke de Burgogne, and to request my opinion upon the propriety of their determination. I must confess to your...
40From 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...
41From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 11 August 1782 (Washington Papers)
I was yesterday honored with your Excellency Letter by Genll de Choisey inclosing Copies of your Correspondence with the Marquis de Vaudruiel on the subject of his proposed Expedition, and requesting my opinion upon that enterprize, to be transmitted to the Marquis on his arrival at Boston. A Copy of my Letter to the Marquis de Vaudruiel, which is inclosed, will shew your Excellency my...
42From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 29 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 21st: I have not received any intelligence from the Southward since the letter of the 15th from the Marquis de la Fayette, the substance of which I communicated to your Excellency in my last. I cannot but look upon this as very unaccountable; for, I think, had either Fleet reached the Chesapeak by the 20th, I should have heard of it,...
43From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 September 1782 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to your Excellency’s request I have written to Governor Hancock to call out the Militia in the neighbourhood of Boston should the enemy threaten the Fleet under the command of the Marquis de Vaudreuil. I have the honor to be most sincerely yr Excellency’s obt and hble servt. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
44From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 17 June 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure of inclosing Your Excellency copies of two letters from Major General Greene, which it appears that an agreeable train of successes have attended our affairs in South Carolina. The consequences will be important, but they would be more so, had we a sufficient force in that quarter to pursue the advantages we have gained. I have heard nothing further from the Marquis de la...
45From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 21 February 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 5th instant, to which, my letters of the 9th and 12th of this month will have served for an answer. In my letters of the 14th of January and 9th of February, I requested the favor of your Excellency to negotiate the exchange of Brigr Genl Lord Rawdon for Brigr Genl Moultrie. I since find, that Gentleman has been exchanged, by composition,...
46From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 13 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have this morning received your Excellency’s favor of the 8th. Give me leave most sincerely to congratulate you on the safe return of the Viscount de Rochambeau, who I hope is the Bearer of agreeable intelligences. A Copy of your letter has been instantly transmitted to His Excellency the Minister at Philadelphia. I will meet your Excellency at Weathersfield, at any time which you shall be...
47From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 10 May 1783 (Washington Papers)
It must, my dear Count, have been a pleasing event to you, to have landed on your native shore, crowned with Laurels after a perilous passage and the hazard of being taken—and to have received as I am perswaded you must have done the Smiles of a wise & generous Prince. On these happy events I sincerely congratulate you. To the generous aids of your Nation, & the bravery of its Sons, is to be...
48From 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...
49From 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...
50From 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 &...
51From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 27 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
By Intelligence which I have received since my Arrival at this Place, I find that the Enemy have been throwing Troops upon Staten Island—This Circumstance, & a Desire to bring up the Rear of the two armies, will induce me to halt the Amercan Troops one Day at Springfield—as I pray your Excellency to do those of the French at Whippany. This Halt will occasion no Delay, as I could not, before...
52From 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,...
53From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 22 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 15th and 18th instants. I am obliged by the care which you promise to take of my packet for Mr Laurens. Major Tallmadge, who your Excellency will have seen before this reaches you, has been upon Long Island, and there obtained intelligence that the British Fleet had returned to New York. From whence I conclude that the whole are there. I...
54From 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...
55From 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...
56From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 28 August 1781 (Washington Papers)
I have just been honor’d with yours of this date, and will agreeable to your request, order a Detachment of Troops for the purpose of covering your Bake house in this place. I have the honor &c. DLC : Papers of George Washington.
57From 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...
58From 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...
59From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 16 December 1781 (Washington Papers)
My last to your Excellency was on the 10th Inst. Since that time nothing material has occurred. It is with pleasure I inform you that Congress shews every disposition to make the most vigorous preparations for the next Campaign—which I sincerely hope may prove, as honorable to the Allied Arms as the past. I have the honor to be with the highest consideration and sincere personal Regard Yr...
60From George Washington to Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau, 3 November 1782 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of the 30th ulto from Hartford. In my last I informed your Excellency that 14 ships of the Line and 7 Frigates had sailed the 26th ulto from New York. I have not yet heard whether the remainder have sailed—neither have I received any intelligence respecting the evacuation of Charlestown—Your Excellency may be assured I shall give you instant information...