From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 11 July 1780
To Major Benjamin Tallmadge
Head Quarters Bergen County 11th July 1780
Dear Sir
As we may every moment expect the arrival of the French Fleet, a revival of the correspondence with the Culpers will be of very great importance.1 If the younger cannot be engaged again, you will endeavour to prevail upon the elder to give you information of the movements and position of the enemy upon Long Island2—as whether they are all confined to the post at Brooklyn, or whether they have any detached posts, and where, and what is their strength at those posts—in short desire him to inform you of whatever comes under his notice and which seems worthy of communication. You will transmit your letters to General Howe, who will forward them to me. I am Dear Sir Yr most obt Servt
Go: Washington
P.S. desire him to attend particularly to the provision which they are making of Wood and Forage—& whether they drive any stock within their lines.3
LS, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, enclosed in GW to Robert Howe, this date, in private hands; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
Tallmadge replied from “Cortlandt’s Manor near Veals Ford [N.Y.]” on 14 July: “Your Excellency’s favour of the 11th inst. has just come to hand; That the instructions therein contained may be faithfully executed, I shall set out tomorrow morning for Fairfield, where I will endeavour to put matters on such a footing, (which by omission have in some measure got deranged) as may answer your Excellency’s Expectations. I would at the same time hint that by C——’s last letter, we are something in arrears to him, & in order to enable him to prosecute the business, it may be necessary to afford him a small supply of money” (ALS, DLC:GW; the cover is marked “Private”).
1. For the suspension of the activities of the Culper spy network, see GW to Tallmadge, 19 May, Document I in Intelligence Operations in the New York City Area, 17 May–24 June, editorial note.
2. GW is referring to the spies Robert Townsend, alias Samuel Culper, Jr., and Abraham Woodhull, alias Samuel Culper, Sr.
3. GW wrote the previous nine words on the LS.