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.

158 WASHI-N GT ON'S WRITINGS. [JET. 49.
a party of horse towards New Kent Court-House to
meet us. With great personal regard and affection,
I am, my dear Marquis, &c.
TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
Williamsburg, 15 September, 1781.
SIR,
I have the honor to inform Congress, that I arrived
at this place last evening; that, soon after my arrival,
I received the pleasing intelligence, that the Count de
Grasse, who had put to sea on the 5th in pursuit of
the British fleet, had returned to his former station at
Cape Henry, having driven the British from the coast,
taken two of their frigates, and effected a junction
with the squadron of the Count de Barras.*
In consequence of my having been informed of the
sailing of the fleet from the Capes, and being apprehensive that we were not assured of the security of
our navigation in the bay, I had ordered the troops,
who were embarked at the Head of Elk, to stop until
we had further intelligence. Orders are this morning
gone on to press them forward with every despatch
possible. I am distressed to find, that the supplies of
the army collecting here are on too precarious a footing. Already a want of provisions has been experi.
enced. Every measure is taking, that is in my power,
to be better assured of our supplies in future. How
far I shall succeed in my endeavours, time must discover. I have the honor to be, &c.
* On his passage from the West Indies to the Chesapeake, Count
de Grasse captured a British armed vessel, bound from Charleston to
New York, in which was Lord Rawdon, who was taken prisoner and
brought into the Chesapeake.