The Diplomatic Correspondence of the American Revolution Volume XI Part 13

We have news, which I have no reason to believe that M. de la Motte Piquet is not far distant from these coasts.

I have the honor to be, &c.

LUZERNE.

GEORGE WASHINGTON TO M. DE LA LUZERNE.

Head Quarters, Newburgh, June 24th, 1782.

Sir,

I was in the moment of sending off a despatch to Count de Rochambeau, of which I have the honor to enclose a copy, when your Excellency's letter of the 14th instant arrived.

I have only to refer you to my letter of the 20th of April, for a perfect statement of matters in this quarter; and as little alteration has taken place since that period, your Excellency will readily perceive the impracticability of the movement expected by Congress, (and mentioned in your letter to Count de Rochambeau,) especially too, when you consider how unprepared we are to encounter any expense, that can possibly be avoided.

My ideas on this head, the removal of the French army in our present state of uncertainty, the consequent call of the militia to occupy the posts they would leave, and cover the stores, shipping, &c. which must necessarily remain, were communicated fully to the Secretary of War, when he was here, with a request that he would unfold them to your Excellency, as I could not commit them to paper without a cypher.

The enemy, from the best intelligence I get from New York, has made no detachment. Things remain there in _statu quo_. They seem to be suspended and are waiting for orders from their Court, which I hear they anxiously expect. As I am just stepping into a boat for Albany, and dare not commit more to paper, I have only to give a fresh testimony of the respect and esteem with which I have the honor to be, &c.

GEORGE WASHINGTON.

TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Translation.

Philadelphia, July 3d, 1782.

Sir,

I received a letter yesterday from Count de Rochambeau, dated on the 24th of last month, wherein he informs me, that he had come to a determination to move on the 27th towards the head of the Bay, where he will be at hand to take such measures as you may judge proper, as soon as we receive news from Europe. He desires me to communicate this to your Excellency, till he can write you himself. As he does not go any distance from the Bay, and as he will always be ready to turn off to the southward if necessary, I hope it will meet your approbation.

I wait his answer respecting the interview, which you have proposed to him, and which I sincerely desire may take place here. It seems to me impossible, that we should not have some news from France towards the middle of this month.

From the last intelligence from Europe, up to the 1st of May, we learn nothing important, except the general disposition of the Dutch to ally themselves with the United States. But it is probable, that Mr Adams will open the negotiation by demanding the acknowledgment and guarantee of your independence, and this circ.u.mstance may prevent the conclusion of a treaty of commerce, which seems to be the point that has most influence with the States General. But as the inclination of the people seems absolutely towards the alliance, I hope the difficulties will be successively got over.

I have the honor to be, &c.

LUZERNE.

TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Translation.

Philadelphia, July 8th, 1782.

Sir,

You will receive by M. de Vauban a letter from Count de Rochambeau, informing your Excellency that he will be here on the 13th or 14th of this month. I hope for the honor of seeing you here by the 15th at farthest, and I felicitate myself, that matters will concur to bring you here precisely at the time, when I shall celebrate the birth of the Dauphin. Your presence, and that of Mrs Washington, will render the festival complete, and I hope the gentlemen, who compose your family, will accompany you. I do not send any written invitations to them, nor to the Generals and other officers of your army, but your Excellency knows, that nothing would be more agreeable to me, than their partic.i.p.ation in celebrating an event, which is so interesting to us, and which I know is so to all our allies. Everybody, whom your Excellency may bring with you, will be welcome.

I have the honor to be, &c.

LUZERNE.

COUNT DE VERGENNES TO GEORGE WASHINGTON.

Translation.

Versailles, July 29th, 1782.

Sir,

It is not in quality of a King, the friend and ally of the United States, (though with the knowledge and consent of his Majesty,) that I now have the honor to write to your Excellency. It is as a man of sensibility, and a tender father, who feels all the force of paternal love, that I take the liberty to address to your Excellency my earnest solicitations in favor of a mother and family in tears. Her situation seems the more worthy of notice, on our part, as it is to the humanity of a nation, at war with her own, that she has recourse, for what she ought to receive from the impartial justice of her own Generals.

I have the honor to enclose your Excellency a copy of a letter, which Lady Asgill has just wrote me. I am not known to her, nor was I acquainted that her son was the unhappy victim, destined by lot to expiate the odious crime that a formal denial of justice obliges you to revenge. Your Excellency will not read this letter without being extremely affected; it had that effect upon the King and Queen, to whom I communicated it. The goodness of their Majesties' hearts induces them to desire, that the inquietudes of an unfortunate mother may be calmed, and her tenderness rea.s.sured. I felt, Sir, that there are cases where humanity itself exacts the most extreme rigor; perhaps the one now in question may be of the number; but allowing reprisals to be just, it is not less horrid to those who are the victims; and the character of your Excellency it too well known, for me not to be persuaded that you desire nothing more than to be able to avoid the disagreeable necessity.

There is one consideration, Sir, which, though it is not decisive, may have an influence on your resolution. Captain Asgill is doubtless your prisoner, but he is among those whom the arms of the King contributed to put into your hands at Yorktown. Although this circ.u.mstance does not operate as a safeguard, it however justifies the interest I permit myself to take in this affair. If it is in your power, Sir, to consider and have regard to it, you will do what is agreeable to their Majesties; the danger of young Asgill, the tears, the despair of his mother, affect them sensibly; and they will see with pleasure the hope of consolation shine out for those unfortunate people.

In seeking to deliver Mr Asgill from the fate which threatens him, I am far from engaging you to seek another victim; the pardon, to be perfectly satisfactory, must be entire. I do not imagine it can be productive of any bad consequences. If the English General has not been able to punish the horrible crime you complain of, in so exemplary a manner as he should, there is reason to think he will take the most efficacious measures to prevent the like in future.

I sincerely wish, Sir, that my intercession may meet success; the sentiment which dictates it, and which you have not ceased to manifest on every occasion, a.s.sures me, that you will not be indifferent to the prayers and to the tears of a family, which has recourse to your clemency through me. It is rendering homage to your virtue to implore it.

I have the honor to be, with the most perfect consideration, Sir, yours, &c.

DE VERGENNES.

LADY ASGILL TO COUNT DE VERGENNES.

[Enclosed in the preceding.]

London, July 18th, 1782.

Sir,

If the politeness of the French Court will permit an application of a stranger, there can be no doubt but one in which all the tender feelings of an individual can be interested, will meet with a favorable reception from a n.o.bleman whose character does honor, not only to his own country, but to human nature. The subject, Sir, on which I presume to implore your a.s.sistance, is too heart-piercing for me to dwell on; and common fame has, most probably, informed you of it; it therefore renders the painful task unnecessary.

My son, (an only son) as dear as he is brave, amiable as he is deserving to be so, only nineteen, a prisoner under the articles of capitulation of Yorktown, is now confined in America, an object of retaliation. Shall an innocent suffer for the guilty? Represent to yourself, Sir, the situation of a family under these circ.u.mstances; surrounded as I am by objects of distress, distracted with fear and grief, no words can express my feeling, or paint the scene. My husband given over by his physicians, a few hours before the news arrived, and not in a state to be informed of the misfortune; my daughter seized with a fever and delirium, raving about her brother, and without one interval of reason, save to hear heart-alleviating circ.u.mstances.

Let your feelings, Sir, suggest and plead for my inexpressible misery.