Previous image preload Next image preload
Back to catalog
Lot 272
image_0 image_1
George Washington Superb Contemp. Clerical Letter Criticizing French Fleet at Battle of Cape Henry
George Washington Superb Contemp. Clerical Letter Criticizing French Fleet at Battle of Cape Henry
image_0 image_1
Description:

George Washington
New Windsor, CT, March 28, 1781
George Washington Superb Contemp. Clerical Letter Criticizing French Fleet at Battle of Cape Henry
AL
A contemporary fair copy of a known letter by George Washington, one page, 8.25" x 12.25", New Windsor, Connecticut, March 28, 1781. This letter copies Washington's in full, addressed to Lund Washington, Washington's distant cousin and the steward at Mount Vernon during the Revolutionary War. Archival tape reinforcements along folds and at middle and bottom right corner, otherwise very good.

In part:

"…your letter of the 14th Instant received is received. If Mr. Triplet has got as much Land as he has given, and you have paid him the Cash difference, with a proper allowance for the Depreciation since the Bargain was made, I am at a loss to discover the ground of his Complaint. And if Men will complain without a Cause, it is a Matter of no great Moment. It was always and is now my Wish to do him Justice, and if there is any thing lacking in it, delay not to give full Measure of Justice, because I had rather exceed than fall short. We have heard nothing certain of the two Fleets since they left their respective Ports. We wait with impatient anxiety, for Advices from Chesapeak, and the Southern Army…A Detachment from New York has made two or three attempts to put to Sea (for the purpose, it is said, of reinforcing either Arnold or Cornwallis), and as often return'd. My last accounts from New York mention another attempt on the 23rd but whether with truth or not, it is not in my Power to say. It is unfortunate, but this I mention in confidence, that the French Fleet and Detachment did not undertake the enterprize they are now upon, when I first proposed it to them. The Destruction of Arnold's Corps would then have been inevitable before the British Fleet could have been in a Condition to put to Sea. Instead of this the small Squadron which took the Romulus and other Vessels were sent and could not, as I fortold, do any thing without a Land force at Portsmouth…".

Docketed on verso: "A Copy of General Washington's Letter to Mr. Lund Washington at Virginia, Dated March 25, 1781. Inserted into Rivington's New York Paper."

Early in 1781, Washington learned that a vast French flotilla — 28 ships of the line — was headed across the Atlantic to reinforce the smaller French squadron already riding at anchor off Newport, Rhode Island. Simultaneously, turncoat Benedict Arnold had established a stronghold in Portsmouth, Virginia, in January. Seizing the opportunity to both capture the fleet and execute Arnold, Washington persuaded René-Dominique Sochet Destouches, commander of the French Fleet in Newport, to quickly dispatch to Arnold's small army in Chesapeake Bay in February 1781 after a storm disabled the British Long Island fleet. He simultaneously dispatched a land force of 1,200 light infantry towards Virginia, under command of Lafayette, to oppose Arnold and reinforce Portsmouth. Destouches left Newport on February 8 to attack Arnold, but returned just 11 days later, having captured only the HMS ROMULUS.

Destouches again attempted the mission to prevent the British entry into the Bay on March 8 at Cape Henry, a 10-mile wide entrance to the Chesapeake Bay. This time he had his full fleet and was carrying 1,200 troops, no doubt to prevent a repeat of the previous disaster. Two days later, Arbuthnot got wind of Destouches mission, and left in his modern copper-clads in pursuit. Despite the time different in departure, Arbuthnot's involvement raised the concern of Washington, who wrote to Lafayette on March 11: "I think the French had so much the start that they will first reach that Bay, but as there is no accounting for the delays and accidents of the sea I have given you this notice…". As if fated to do so, Artbuthnot's faster fleet arrived at Cape Henry slightly before Destouches on March 16. There, the two fleets exchanged broadsides. The French destroyed the British fleet within an hour, but Destouches pulled away to the east. The battered British ships were unable to pursue; however, this victory was merely tactical, for Arbuthnot was able to pull into Chesapeake Bay the following day and hold there to assure the arrival of reinforcements for Arnold. As before, Destouches entire mission was thwarted.

Washington was unhappy with the result, of course, but tactfully wrote a letter of thanks to Destouches for "the minute detail which you are pleased to give me on the Action of the 16th Inst. between the Squadron of his Most Christian Majesty under your command and that of the British under Admiral Arbuthnot. 'Tho you have not been able to accomplish the object which you had in view, you have merited the thanks of every American by the boldness of the attempt, and by the gallantry and good conduct displayed through the whole course of the engagement…".

However, he expressed his disappointment privately and candidly in our fair copy of the letter sent to Lund. Intercepted by the British, this letter was published in Rivington's Loyal Gazette, printed by James Rivington in British-held New York from 1777-1783, and much to Washington's mortification. Washington issued an apology and clarification, and the matter was dropped. (Cf. Fitzpatrick, Writings, Vol. 21, p. 385 & Vol. 22, p. 16).

Lund Washington (1737-1796) was a distant cousin of George Washington and the principal manager of the Mount Vernon estate during the Revolutionary War.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 8.25" x 12.25"
  • Medium: AL

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house worldwide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses who proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with signature required, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third Party Shipping Option: If a third party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

June 26, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000