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.

76 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [AET. 49.
Your Excellency will recollect, that New York was
looked upon by us as the only practicable object under
present circumstances; but should we be able to secure
a naval superiority, we may perhaps find others more
practicable and equally advisable. If the frigate should
not have sailed, I wish you to explain this matter to
the Count de Grasse; for, as I understand it, you have
in your communication to him confined our views to
New York alone. And, instead of advising him to run
immediately into the Chesapeake, will it not be best to
leave him to judge, from the information he may from
during some part of the campaign. Count de Grasse wrote as follows to
Count de Rochambeau.
" His Majesty has entrusted me with the command of the naval force
destined for the protection of his possessions in South America, and those
of his allies in North America. The force, which I command, is sufficient to fulfil the offensive plans, which it is the interest of the allied
powers to execute, that they may secure an honorable peace. If the
men-of-war are necessary for fulfilling the projects, which you have in
view, it will be useful to the service, that M. de Barras or M. Destouches
be apprized of it, and that pilots be sent to us skilful and well instructed,
as the French ships have a larger draft of water than the British. It
will not be till the 15th of July, at the soonest, that I shall be on the
coast of North America; but it will be necessary, by reason of the short
time that I have to stay in that country (also being obliged to leave it
on account of the season), that every thing necessary for the success of
your projects should be in readiness, that not a moment for action may
be lost." - MS. Letter, dated at Sea,.March 29th.
The above letter was sent by the convoy. Count de Rochambeau despatched a vessel immediately for the West Indies, with full intelligence
to Count de Grasse concerning the plans in view, and also the strength,
situation, and apparent designs of the enemy. He recommended to him
to enter the Chesapeake on his way, as there might be an opportunity
of striking an important stroke there, and then to proceed immediately
to New York, and be ready to cooperate with the allied armies in an
attack upon that city. He likewise requested, that, if possible, five or
six thousand land troops might be brought from the West Indies.
He writes thus to General Washington; but in his JMemoires he takes
somewhat more credit to himself respecting the proposed operation in
the Chesapeake.
" I presented to M. de Grasse," says he, " a picture of the distresses
of the southern States, and above all of Virginia, which had nothing to