Letter 8:
ALEXANDER HAMILTON WARNS
THE FRENCH
A letter from Alexander Hamilton to Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roche Gilbert du Motier,
Marquis de Lafayette, July 21, 1780 – The same day Washington wrote to Rochambeau,
leader of the French allied land forces, Washington’s aide-de-camp, Hamilton, wrote to
Lafayette, a French ally and trusted member of Washington’s intelligence network,
warning him of the same impending movement of British forces that Washington had
warned Rochambeau about.
My Dear Marquis,
We have just received advice from
New York through different channels
that the enemy are making an embarkation
with which they menace the French fleet and army. Fifty
transports are said to have
gone up the Sound to take in troops and
proceed directly to Rhode Island.
The Genl is absent and may not return before evening. Though
this may be only a demonstration,
yet as it may be serious, I think it
best to forward it without waiting
the Generals return.
We have different accounts
from New York of an action in the West
Indies, in which the English lost several
ships. I am inclined to credit them.
Head Quarters
July 21, 1780
A. Hamilton
Aide De Camp
The letter from Hamilton to Lafayette contains a highly classified Indications and
Warning (I&W) report.
A DEEPER DIVE INTO THE LETTER
