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.

PART lI.] THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION. 87
from yourself, that there is no danger of any letters
falling among those clouds of light troops, which you
tell me surrounded Lord Cornwallis's army. I enclose
a paper, containing some very agreeable accounts from
India. I hope, from the circumstance of a part of
them being published by the East India House in
London, that they are well founded. Be assured, my
dear Marquis, that my anxiety to hear from you is
increased by my sincere regard for you, and by the
interest I take in every thing which concerns you.
Believe me to be, most affectionately, &c.
TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL DAVID COBB.
Head-Quarters, Peeksklll, 30 June, 1781.
DEAR SIR,
The enclosed letter to the Count de Rochambeau 4s
of very great importance, and requires the utmost secrecy in its communication. This idea you will convey to the Count before its delivery, to effect which
you will first converse with the Chevalier Chastellux
on the mode of its communication. Its object is to
inform the Count, that I have in contemplation a very
sudden surprise of some post of the enemy, which will
be of very great importance in our operations, and
which we have flattering expectations of obtaining; to
cover and support which, if obtained, we shall want the
aid of the French army; in which case, it will be necessary for the Count to push on his troops with greater
haste, than he at present intends, and by a different
route from that now in his view. The Duke de Lauzun's legion is to advance.
The movements, which I would wish to be made by
the French army, are particularized in my letter to the