From George Washington to Major General John Sullivan, 10 June 1779
To Major General John Sullivan
Head Quarters Smith’s Clove [N.Y.]
June 10th 1779.
Dr Sir,
Inclosed I send you extracts of two letters one from Colonel Van Schaick of the 22d & another from General Clinton of the 28th of May1—I rely intirely upon you for giving General Clinton the directions necessary for his cooperation; as I could not undertake to do it without hazarding an interference with your views. I am with great regard Dr Sir Yr most Obedt serv.
P.S. The enemy remain much as last advised2—on Verplanck’s and Stoney-points. They are industriously fortifying and seem determined to keep those posts to intercept the communication by Kings ferry. A part of their troops have returned to New York—The main army is for the present in this Clove.
Df, in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, DLC:GW; copy (extract), enclosed in GW to John Jay, 15 Aug. 1779, DNA:PCC, item 166; copy (extract), DNA:PCC, item 169; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. In the dateline of the draft manuscript, Hamilton first wrote “9” and then wrote “10” over that number. The draft, however, is docketed “9 June.” The two extracts and Varick transcript are dated 9 June. For evidence that the letter sent to Sullivan was dated 10 June, see GW’s letter to Sullivan of 11 June.
1. The enclosed extracts of letters from Col. Goose Van Schaick to Brig. Gen. James Clinton, and Clinton to GW, have not been identified, but it is likely that these extracts covered the same portions of the originals as the extracts enclosed with GW to John Jay, 15 Aug. (DNA:PCC, item 152). The letter from Van Schaick to Clinton, 22 May, had been enclosed in Clinton to GW, 28 May.
2. GW probably is referring to his letter to Sullivan of 4 June.