to be raised, and which I hope you have already completed. 'Mr. Robert Morris will have the principal agency in procuring the water craft mentioned; perhaps nothing more will be expected from your excellency in that article, than to afford Mr. Morris every aid which he may stand in need of, from government, in their procurement. This, I am persuaded, you will do with readiness and decision. 'The moment is critical-the opportunity is precious— the prospect is most happily favourable. I hope that no supineness or want of exertion on our own part, may prove the means of a fatal disappointment. 'I have the honour to be, with great sincerity of esteem and regard, your excellency's most obedient and humble servant, Go. WASHINGTON. 'P. S. Our forage will be principally wanted at the head of Elk, and from thence on the route to Georgetown. 'To his Excellency Governor Lee, of Maryland.' Letter from General Washington to Governor Lee. 'Sir,-I intended on passing through Maryland, to have done myself the pleasure to have called on your excellency, but circumstances pressing upon me, as I advanced on my march, and time slipping too fast from me, I found a necessity of getting on with that rapidity as has obliged me to proceed without calling at Annapolis. 'I am exceedingly pleased to find, as I passed through your State, that a spirit for exertion prevails universally in such manner as gives me the happiest prospects of receiving very effectual support from you. 'Great attention is necessary to be given to the article of supplies. I mention this circumstance, as I am just informed from below, that the army is in distress at this moment for want of provisions, particularly flour; let me entreat your excellency to give every, the most expeditious relief on this head that is within your power. 'With very great regard and esteem, I have the honour to be your excellency's most obedient and most humble servant, Go. WASHINGTON. 'His Excellency Governor Lee.' Letter from General Washington to Governor Lee. 'Sir,-Your excellency has been informed, on hearing the French fleet had sailed from the capes, I had given orders to the troops which were embarked, to stop their proceedings. I am now happy to be able to inform your excellency, that the Count De Grasse is returned to his former station at Cape Henry, having driven the British fleet from the coast, formed a junction with the squadron of the Count De Barris, and captured two British frigates. The bay being thus secure, I have given orders for the troops to proceed with all possible despatch to the point of operation. 'I am distressed, my dear sir, to find on my arrivalˇat Williamsburgh, that the supplies for the army here, are not in that desirable train that could be wished; they have already experienced a want of provisions, and are greatly apprehensive for the prospect in future, particularly in the article of bread; all the flour within your reach should be immediately forwarded down, which may, I think, be speedily done, now that the navigation of the bay is secured. I beg, sir, that not a moment may be lost in furnishing us with every supply within your power. 'Happily if the fleet will remain with us, our prospects of success are most promising, if we are not wanting in our own exertions. 'An army cannot be kept together without supplies; if these fail us, our operations must cease, and all our highest hopes will vanish into disappointment and disgrace. 'With great regard and esteem, I have the honour to be your excellency's most obedient servant, 'GO. WASHINGTON. 'P. S. If your excellency can assist us in procuring some axes and hatchets, and entrenching tools of all kinds, it will be a great advantage. 'We shall have much occasion for tools of this sort, and I find almost a total want here, and it will be difficult to make a collection from a small compass. To his Excellency Governor Lee.' Letter from General Washington to Governor Lee. 'Sir,-I was yesterday honoured with your excellency's favour of the 3d. Give me leave to return you my sincerest thanks for your exertions on the present occasion. 'The supplies granted by the State are so liberal, that they remove every apprehension of want. Col. Blaine has gone himself over to the eastern shore, to see that the cattle from thence are brought down to the proper landing, where they will be slaughtered, and the meat sufficiently salted to be transported by water. 'Proper measures have been taken by the commissaries, to receive the cattle of the western shore, and to have them driven by land. 'Arrangements have also been made to send up the craft for flour, as fast as they discharge their lading of stores. 'I will desire col. Stewart to send up all the empty flour barrels that can be made of further use. 'We opened our first parallel on the night of the 6th, and established it completely with a loss too trifling to mention. on hage 281, copied by the 81 IW Bond, Levetry to the in, file ins his office, Mn/yell to tell me that the book at the State Library & int of eir Shave the hon nad ne ord onhe lear will mitting to fins Excellenc efon which Les Aman. dered the farmine if to cester, the have not he to fit an accrant of 17 mor ncernut Brnor novel or Stoves in the dig. ments hit from the hermore there will be affects inch press of Leven Thin and meen Khave more than to preces of Nr. and a hundred of Bo Stores and also other articles. мне My presenta AL me (as printed on pag The Primers will be de g to with 21 water in Virginia and Fort which in Maryland he SO ki I m every sentiment. timent of Mint perfect esteem & nega derstood Mr Bond that these letter, this one is ted from es the mi a encicella spaced he submitted for coxamination) which Iher a copy which fa th ca W ty years ass lying lordly be desk at the capital, soon afterwards appers. 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