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Subject Area: War and Peace
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

TO THE CHEVALIER DE LA LUZERNE. - George Washington, The Writings of George Washington, vol. X (1782-1785) [1891]

Edition used:

The Writings of George Washington, collected and edited by Worthington Chauncey Ford (New York and London: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1890). Vol. X (1782-1785).

Part of: The Writings of George Washington, 14 vols.

About Liberty Fund:

Liberty Fund, Inc. is a private, educational foundation established to encourage the study of the ideal of a society of free and responsible individuals.


TO THE CHEVALIER DE LA LUZERNE.

In order that your Excellency and Congress may have as comprehensive and compleat view of our efficient force, our military apparatus, and the principal articles, which would be required for a vigorous Campaign, I have thought it expedient to forward the Enclosed Returns and estimates (the Estimate of the Engineer being omitted, because the articles in his department will be principally provided by the labors of the army); and I flatter myself it will be found, that the troops under my orders are at this moment as much collected and as well appointed, as could possibly be expected under our circumstances; and that all the means, which have been afforded, so far as depended on military arrangements, have been œconomized in the most prudent manner. I wait with great solicitude to hear the sentiments, expectations, and final pleasure of Congress, on the several points contained in this letter; and, in the mean time,

Sir,

I have the honor to be, &c.1

P. S.

I have directed the Troops of Pensyla., Delaware, Maryland & Virginia except the Legionary Corps to be comprehended in the Qr. Master’s Estimate, as they would undoubtedly be employed with this Army in case of any serious operation.

The news of a general peace, which your Excellency has been so good as to announce to me, has filled my mind with inexpressible satisfaction; and permit me to add, that the joy I feel on this great event is doubly enhanced by the very obliging manner in which you have been pleased to express your congratulations to me and to the army on this happy occasion.1

[1 ]The first intelligence of the signing of a general treaty of peace at Paris, on the 20th of January, was brought to America by the Triumph, a French armed vessel, sent by Lafayette from Count d’Estaing’s squadron at Cadiz. It arrived in Philadelphia in the afternoon of the 23d of March. The following letter was received by the President of Congress from the Marquis de Lafayette:

“Cadiz, 5 February, 1783.

Sir,

“Having been at some pains to engage a vessel to go to Philadelphia, I now find myself happily relieved by the kindness of Count d’Estaing. He is just now pleased to tell me, that he will despatch a French ship, and, by way of compliment on the occasion, he has made choice of the Triumph. So that I am not without hopes of giving Congress the first tidings of a general peace; and I am happy in the smallest opportunity of doing any thing, that may prove agreeable to America.

“I have the honor to be, &c.

Lafayette.

[1 ]The first intelligence of the signing of a general treaty of peace at Paris, on the 20th of January, was brought to America by the Triumph, a French armed vessel, sent by Lafayette from Count d’Estaing’s squadron at Cadiz. It arrived in Philadelphia in the afternoon of the 23d of March. The following letter was received by the President of Congress from the Marquis de Lafayette:

“Cadiz, 5 February, 1783.

Sir,

“Having been at some pains to engage a vessel to go to Philadelphia, I now find myself happily relieved by the kindness of Count d’Estaing. He is just now pleased to tell me, that he will despatch a French ship, and, by way of compliment on the occasion, he has made choice of the Triumph. So that I am not without hopes of giving Congress the first tidings of a general peace; and I am happy in the smallest opportunity of doing any thing, that may prove agreeable to America.

“I have the honor to be, &c.

Lafayette.