From George Washington to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, 30 October 1779
To Major Benjamin Tallmadge
Head Quarters [West Point] 30th October 1779
Dear Sir
I have your favr of the 28th.1 I send you by your dragoon a small quantity of the counterpart, of which we must be as saving as possible.2 I have heard nothing from Rhode Island, at which I am much surprised, especially if the Vessels bound to the Westward had troops on board.3 General Howe does not seem to think that, that matter was perfectly clear. I am Dear Sir &.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Tallmadge’s letter to GW of 28 Oct. has not been found.
2. GW is referring to the chemical reagent for invisible ink (see Tallmadge to GW, 21 April, and GW to Tallmadge, 25 July; see also the second letter from John Jay to GW, 19 Nov. 1778, and n.1 to that document).
3. For the British evacuation of Rhode Island on 25 Oct. and GW’s agitation at not having received a prompt official report from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, see GW to Duportail and Alexander Hamilton, this date, and notes 1–3 to that document.