Head Quarters, West Point, October 7th, 1779.
Sir:
Since my letter to your Excellency on the 4th instant, I have had
the honor of a visit from his Excellency, Monsieur Gerard. In the
conversation we had relative to a co-operation with the fleet and
troops under your command, he expressed his doubts of its being
possible for you to continue such a length of time as may be essential
to the success of the undertaking, and which alone could justify me
in going into those extensive preparations absolutely necessary on
our part. I have therefore appointed Brigadier General Du Portail and
Colonel Hamilton to wait upon your Excellency as speedily as possible,
and explain to you fully my ideas of the proposed co-operation--the
means we shall be able to employ--the obstacles we shall have to
encounter on our side--the plans which it may be proper to pursue,
and the measures which are taking and may be taken by the enemy to
counteract them. This will enable your Excellency to determine what you
can with propriety undertake. I shall only add, that if your Excellency
will engage to co-operate with your whole naval and land force against
the enemy’s fleet and army at New-York, till the winter is so far
advanced that the ice will make it impracticable to remain with your
fleet any longer in port, I will bring twenty-five thousand effective
men into the field, and will exert all the resources of the country in
a vigorous and decided co-operation. Without this assurance on the part
of your Excellency, it would be inconsistent with my duty to the public
and to the common cause, to incur the expense and hazard which would be
inseparable from the enterprise, and the more disagreeable consequences
which would attend a failure. I flatter myself your Excellency will be
fully sensible of the weight of the reasons, on which this declaration
is founded, and will approve the frankness with which it is made, and
with which I have instructed General Du Portail and Colonel Hamilton to
disclose to you every circumstance, and every consideration with which
it is necessary you should be acquainted. If your determination should
be in favor of the enterprise, I request you will honor me with a line
in answer to this letter, expressive of your ultimate intentions, and
that you will communicate to the gentlemen who now wait upon you, the
previous measures you propose to pursue, and your sentiments of the
most eligible plan of co-operation. I shall act in consequence, till
the period arrives for concerting a final and more determinate plan.
I would now observe to your Excellency, that you may repose the most
implicit confidence in General Du Portail and Colonel Hamilton, and
accordingly I recommend them to your kind civilities and attention.
And, having done this, I have only to renew the assurances of that
sincere attachment and perfect respect with which I have the honor to be
Your Excellency’s
Most obedient servant,
G. Washington.