The letters of great men are always interesting, more particularly when
they are connected with important historical facts. I presume, therefore,
that those I subjoin from General Washington and General Green will not be
unwelcome to your readers. They were among the papers of an officer, long
deceased, who at the time was aide-de-camp to Sir Guy Carlton, the
commander-in-chief of our army in America; and were, I presume, intercepted
before they reached their respective destinations.
"_General Green to General Washington._
"Head Quarters on Ashley River,
May 31st, 1782.
"Sir,
"I had the honor of informing your Excellency, in a letter of the 19th
instant, that a dangerous spirit of discontent had been discovered in
the army, and of the measures I took to suppress it. I am happy to
inform you that this spirit seems entirely to have subsided, as the
persons who fomented it are removed at a distance from the troops: and,
as we have now a prospect of some cloathing, and more comfortable
supplies, I hope it will no more appear.
"Your Excellency has been informed of the late important and
interesting changes in the face of affairs.--The arrival of Sir Guy
Carlton, and the change of ministers and measures, will open a new
field of hopes for this country. How far we may be benefited by it, a
little time will determine; but it will inevitably be attended with one
bad consequence, as it will relax our preparation for a continuance of
the war, which, to me, appears extremely probable. General Leslie has
made overtures, and a proposition for a suspension of hostilities; I do
myself the honor to inclose you copies of his letter, and my answer on
the subject, from which you will see the ground on which it stands. I
wait most anxiously for advices from Congress or your Excellency, by
which my conduct in the business must be ultimately directed. I suppose
this measure has been adopted {278} by Sir Guy Carlton, and proposed to
your Excellency; but, as I am entirely at a loss to know on what
conditions, and what purposes it has to answer, I can form no
conclusive opinion on its propriety.
"I am sanguine that the operations against Jamaica will go on,
notwithstanding the late misfortune, which seems to be rather a
splendid than useful victory to the enemy. And as Count de Guichen, who
has arrived with a considerable squadron, and taken the command of the
combined fleets in the West Indies, is still much superior to the
British, we have good reason to hope the enterprise may succeed.
"Inclosed, I transmit your Excellency the Report of Brigadier-General
Wayne of a considerable skirmish in Georgia, wherein Lieut.-Col. Brown,
with four or five hundred men, were defeated. The plan was judicious,
and executed in a manner that does great honor both to the general and
the troops. It will have very happy consequences in impressing the
Indians with an idea of our superior power, and in the destruction of
their cavalry.
"The enemy continue their camp, entrenched at the Quarter House, in a
strong position. Their patroles of horse, and ours, frequently go over
the same ground. Captain Armstrong of the Legion, and Captain Gill of
the fourth regiment, with about forty dragoons of Lieut.-Colonel
Laurens's command, fell in with a troop of their horse two days ago,
and took an officer, eight men, and ten horses, without suffering any
other in injury than two men wounded.
"With the highest esteem and regard,
I have the honor to [be]
Your Excellency's
Most Obedient
Humble Servant,
NATH. GREEN.
His Excellency,
General Washington."
"_General Washington to Governor Livingston._
"Head Quarters, Newburgh,
July 3rd, 1782.
"Sir,
"From the inclosed information of Captain Stevens, there is reason to
apprehend the business of driving cattle to the enemy is carrying on
with great art and assiduity; it would be a happy circumstance if the
villains concerned in it could be detected. I have therefore to propose
to your Excellency, that you will be pleased to take such precautions
as you shall judge best calculated to learn whether any such cattle are
passing in droves, or smaller parcels (for they may be divided on the
road), to the enemy.
"If your Excellency should hear of them before they turn off towards
New York, I think it would be advisable to employ some trusty man or
men to dog and follow them privately, until the fact is ascertained;
otherwise, it is to be feared, no positive proof of the intention of
the people engaged in this infamous trade can be obtained.
"I sincerely wish every practicable plan may be attempted for seizing
the cattle, apprehending and bringing to condign punishment the men; as
this would tend essentially to frustrate the insidious schemes of our
enemies, as well as deter their other agents from similar practices.
"I have the honor to be,
With perfect respect,
Your Excellency's
Most Obedient Servant,
GO. WASHINGTON.
"P.S.--I am honor'd with your Excellency's letter of the 24th June.
"His Excellency Gov. Livingston."