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).