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TRANSCRIPT
GLC 2437.52.149
George
Washington. Letter copy:
Head Quarters, to Henry Knox, 1781 February 16.
2 p.
To
Brigadier General Knox
Commander
of Artillery.
Head
Qrs Feb 16 1781
(Private)
Sir,
In
the Conference between the Count De Rochambeau and myself, it was agreed, that
if by the aid of our Allies, we can have a Naval Superiority through the next
Campaign, and an army of thirty thousand men (or double the force of the enemy
and its dependencies) early enough in the season to operate in the quarter, we
ought to prefer it to evry other object, as the most important and decisive, and
applications have been made to the Court of France in this Spirit which it is to
be hoped will produce the desired effect.
It
is therefore incumbent upon us to make evry necessary preparation on our part
for the seige of New York. as far as our funds and means render practicable –
Applications have been also made to the Court of France for a large supply of
powder, arms, heavy cannon, and several other essential articles in your
Department – But as we cannot ascertain the extent of the success these
applications will meet with, and as they only go to such articles as are less
within the compass of our own internal means, we ought not to neglect any
exertion in our power for procuring within ourselves those things of which we
shall stand in need.
I
give you this Communication of what is in prospect, that you may take your
measures accordingly by making Such estimates and demands, and other arrangments,
as [2] may appear to you best calculated to produce what we want.
And you may rely upon all the Support it will be in my power to give –
In
your calculations, you will estimate the force on our side at about twenty
thousand men, the remainder with a proper seige and field apparatus are to be
supposed to be furnished by our allies – You are well acquainted with New York
and its defences, and you can therefore judge of the means requisite for its
reduction by a seige – The
General idea of the plan of operations is this (if we are able to procure the
force we count upon) to make two attacks, one against the works on York Island,
and the other against the works of Brooklyn on Long Island – the latter will
probably be conducted by our Allies – ulterior operations must depend on
circumstances –
If
we should find ourselves unable to undertake this more capital expedition, and
if we have means equal to it we shall attempt a Secondary object. the reduction
of Charles Town – Savannah. Penobscot We may sucessively come into
contemplation – Your dispositions will have reference to these different
objects though indeed a preparation for the principal one will substantially
comprehend evry lesser –
These
instructions would have been earlier given to you, but for the commotions in the
army, which suspended my attentions
Given
at Head Quarters
February 16 – 1781
(Signed)
Go Washington
[inserted
in left margin of first page - different hand:
(Recd from Lt Henry Knox Thatcher Augt 9 1855 by Mail)]
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