West Point, Sept. 14, 1779.
My Dear Sir:
I do not recollect whether I said any thing in my last about the
strength of the reinforcement with Arbuthnot. All the accounts agree
that it does not exceed 3000, mostly recruits, and in very bad health;
it is said more than a thousand died on the passage, and the greater
part of the remainder are journeying fast to the other world. Disease
prevails also in the other parts of the army and among the inhabitants,
more than has been known at any time, since the enemy has been in
possession of the city. They have been of late making extensive
preparations for embarking troops, and we have just received advice,
that two German and one British regiment sailed from New-York on the
11th, under convoy of a Sixty-four. The rumors about the destination
are various. The West Indies, Georgia, Canada, are all talked of, but
the first with most confidence, and is no doubt most probable; our
intelligence announces a continuance of the embarkation.
A vessel lately arrived at Boston from the Cape, reports that
she sailed from that place in company with Count D’Estaing, with
twenty-five sail of the line, and some transports, containing 6000
troops taken in at the Cape, and bound first for Georgia and afterward
farther Northward. She parted with the fleet in latitude 25, longitude
74. Two other vessels, arrived at some place in Connecticut,
pretend that they parted with a French fleet of men of war, and
transports, in the latitude of Bermuda, steering for this coast. These
concurrent accounts are not entirely unworthy of attention, though I am
not disposed to give them entire credit.
The reduction of the enemy’s fleets and armies in this country, would
be the surest method to effect the complete conquest of the Islands;
and it would be one of the most fatal strokes Great Britain could
receive. The stamina of their Military Establishment are in this
country. The ruin of this, and the capture of their seamen and ships,
would be an irrecoverable loss. The West Indies would scarcely have
any further prospect of succor, and would be obliged to submit to the
power of France almost without resistance; which might then operate at
leisure, aided by ample supplies from this continent, which I believe
are the principal thing wanting.
These reasons may have induced the Count to make us a visit, during
the season of inactivity in the West Indies; or if he does not come
himself, if by forming a junction with the Spanish fleet, he can make
a detachment this way, and still maintain a superiority for operation
in that quarter, this perhaps will make the event more probable, than
on the former supposition. I have now given you all the intelligence
we have, and have mixed certainties, rumors, and conjectures. You will
extract and believe as much as you think proper. I shall only add, that
I am with the most perfect esteem and attachment,
Dear Sir,
Your most obed’t serv’t,
A. Hamilton.
The General and family charge me to present their most affectionate
respects. We are to receive the new Minister to-morrow morning.