The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

APPENDIX.] LAFAYETTE IN VIRGINIA. 511
skirmish, during which we were enabled to see something; but the
insufficiency of ammunition, which had been expected for many
days, prevented my engaging too far to push the enemy's out-posts,
and our reconnoitring was postponed to the 21st. But, on the
20th, Major McPherson, an officer for whom I have the highest
confidence and esteem, sent me word from Hampton, where he was
stationed, that a fleet had come to anchor within the Capes. So
far was it probable, that this fleet was that of M. Destouches, that
Arnold himself appeared to be in great confusion, and his vessels,
notwithstanding many signals, durst not for a long time venture
down. An officer of the French navy bore down to them from
York, and nothing could equal my surprise on hearing from Major
McPherson, that the fleet announced by a former letter certainly
belonged to the enemy.
"Upon this intelligence, the militia were removed to their former
position, and I requested Baron Steuben (from whom out of delicacy I would not take the command, until the cooperation was begun, or the Continental troops arrived,) to take such measures as
would put out of the enemy's reach the several articles that had
been prepared. On my return to this place, I could not hear more
particular accounts of the fleet. Some people think they have
come from Europe, but I believe them to be the fleet from Gardiner's Bay. They are said to bq twelve sail in all, frigates included. I have sent spies on board, and shall forward their report to head-quarters.
"Having certain accounts that the French sailed on the 8th,
with a favorable wind, I must think that they are coming to this
place, or were beaten in an engagement, or are gone somewhere
else. In either of these three cases, I think it my duty to stay
here until I hear something more, which must be in a little time.
But, as you will certainly recall a detachment composed of the
flower of each regiment, whose loss would be immense for the army under your immediate command, and as my instructions are to
march them back as soon as we lose the naval superiority in this
quarter, I have sent them orders to move at the first notice from
me (which I will send to-morrow or the day after), or upon the arrival of a letter from your Excellency, which my aid-de-camp is
empowered to open. Had I not been on the spot, I am sure that
I should have waited a long time before I should have known what
to think of this fleet, and my presence at this place was the speediest means of forwarding the detachment, either to Hampton, or
back to your Excellency's immediate army."