Newark, July 23, 1778, one o’clock.
Sir:
I wrote to your Excellency the evening of the 20th, by Major Neville.
I remained in the neighborhood of Black Point till the afternoon
following. The Count had received his expected dispatches from
Congress, and was to sail, as I mentioned before, the first fair wind.
At Brunswick, yesterday, Mr. Caldwell joined me. He was immediately
from the Point, and brought intelligence that the fleet got under way
yesterday morning. The wind, unfortunately, has been much against them;
which is so much the more to be regretted, as they are rather in want
of water.
I need not suggest to your Excellency, that an essential part of the
Rhode Island plan, is to take every possible measure to watch the
enemy’s motions, and to establish expresses from place to place, to
give the Count instant information of any movement among their fleet.
This will enable him to be in time to intercept them, should they
attempt to evacuate New-York, while he is at Rhode Island; and will, in
general, facilitate the intercourse and co-operation between him and
your Excellency.
I have nothing new to communicate, beside what was sent by Major
Neville, and what I now send. All the ideas interchanged between
the Count and myself, were such as were familiar before I left Head
Quarters. He was to go to Rhode Island, and, in conjunction with
General Sullivan, endeavor to possess himself of the enemy’s ships and
troops there; if, on his arrival, he had good reason to think it could
be effected without further assistance. If not, he will be glad of a
reinforcement from you in the most expeditious manner possible. What
manner you think will be most expeditious, you will adopt; and if his
aid may be useful, he will afford it as soon as he is informed of it.
This being the case, my immediate presence at Head Quarters is the less
necessary as to this business; and I hope your Excellency will indulge
me, if I do not make all the dispatch back which a case of emergency
would require; though I do not mean to delay, more than a moderate
attention to my frail constitution may make not improper. I have, &c.,
A. Hamilton.
His Excellency Gen. Washington.