May 14, 1780.
My Dear Sir:
This will be handed you by the Marquis, who brings us very important
intelligence. The General communicates the substance of it in a private
letter to you, and proposes a measure which all deem essential. For
God’s sake, my dear sir, engage Congress to adopt it, and come to a
speedy decision. We have not a moment to lose. Were we to improve every
instant of the interval, we should have too little time for what we
have to do. The expected succor may arrive in the beginning of June,
in all probability it will not be later than the middle. In the last
case we have not a month to make our preparations in, and in this short
period we must collect men, form magazines, and do a thousand things of
as much difficulty as importance. The propriety of the measure proposed
is so obvious, that an hour ought to decide it, and if any new members
are to come, they ought to set out instantly with all expedition for
head quarters. Allow me, my dear sir, to give you a hint. The General
will often be glad to consult the Committee on particular points, but
it will be inexpedient that he should be obliged to do it oftener than
he thinks proper, or any peculiar case may require. Their powers should
be formed accordingly. It is the essence of many military operations,
that they should be trusted to as few as possible.
The Marquis has a title to all the love of all America; but you know he
has a thousand little whims to satisfy; one of these he _will have_ me
to write to some friend in Congress about. He is desirous of having the
Captain of the frigate in which he came complimented; and gives several
pretty instances of his punctuality and disinterestedness. He wishes
Congress to pass some resolutions of thanks, and to recommend him to
their Minister in France, to be recommended to the French Court. The
first of these is practicable. The last I think might have an officious
appearance. The _essential_ services the Marquis has rendered America
in France, give him a claim for all that can be done with propriety;
but Congress must not commit themselves.
Again, my dear sir, I must entreat you to use the spur on the present
occasion. The fate of America is perhaps suspended on the issue; if we
are found unprepared, it must disgrace us in the eyes of all Europe,
besides defeating the good intentions of our allies, and losing the
happiest opportunity we ever have had to save ourselves. Adieu, my dear
Sir.
Believe me to be, with the truest respect and affection,
Your most obed’t servant,
A. Hamilton.
Hon. James Duane, Philadelphia.
Honored by Marquis De Lafayette.