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Letter 1:
WASHINGTON WELCOMES THE FRENCH

From George Washington, July 16th, 1780
To Lieutenant General Rochambeau
Head Quarters in New Jersey

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Sir,

I hasten to impart to you the happiness I feel at the welcome news of your arrivals, and as well in the name of the American army as in my own name​ to protect you with an assurance of our warmest sentiments for allies who have so generously come to our aid. As a citizen of the United States, and as a old XXXX in the cause of liberty, I thankfully acknowledge the new matter of friendship from this XXXX Christian Majesty and I feel grateful for XXX for the flattering confidence he has been please to honor me with on this occasion.

Among the obligations we are under to your prince, I esteem it one ​ of the first that he has made have for the command of his troops of a gentleman whole high reputation and happy union of social qualities and military abilities promise me every public advantage and private satisfaction.​

I beg Sir, you will be the interpreter of my sentiments to the gentlemen under your command. Be XXXX to assure them, that to the pleasure I anticipate of an acquaintance with them, I join the warmest desire to do everything that may be agreeable to under their command, them and to the soldiering. But in the midst of a war the nature and difficulties a few which are peculiar and uncommon, I XXXX flatter XXXX in any war to atone for the sacrifice they have made, but by giving them such opportunities in the field of glory, as with enables them to display that gallantry and XXXX latent which we that always be happy to acknowledge with applause​.

The Marquis De La Fayete has been by me desired from time to time to communicate such intelligence and may such propagations as circumstances dictate.​ I think so important immediately to fix our plan of operation, and with as much secrecy, do possible, that I have request him to go hopefully to New London where he​ will probably meet you. As a General effect I have the greatest confidence in​ him — as a friend he is perfectly by acquainted with my sentiments and opinions— he knows all the circumstances of our army and the country at large, all the ​ information he gives and all the projections he makes I entreat you will be confident​ as coming from me. I request you will settle all arrangements whatsoever with him and I shall only add, that I shall exactly conform to the intentions of his most Christian Majesty as explained in the several papers put into my hand​ by his order and signed by his MXXXX​.

XXXX me to refer you to the Marquis De La Fayette for more particular assurances of what I feel on this occasion which I the more readily do now acknowledge of his peculiar affection and regard for you. Impatiently waiting ​ for the time when our operation will afford me the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with you, ______ have the honor to be with the most perfect consideration and attachment --- Your most XXXX humble servant​.

Go: Washington

*When George Washington sent the letter to Rochambeau on July 16, 1780, his headquarters was at the Dey Mansion in Preakness, New Jersey (present-day Wayne, New Jersey).

A DEEPER DIVE INTO THE LETTER

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