Charles-Henri d' Estaing

“ I am as persuaded as he is of the importance there is for the common cause to build fortifications in Boston and elsewhere. They will be excellent and will not cost much, if we act on a general plan; if there is no plan established it will be here as in our European places where most of the parts do not form a whole and the last of which have been constructed only to remedy to the defects of the first. The happiness and safety of America are your work; it must be made eternal. ”

“ The decisive moment approaches when the main body of the English troops must be divided and leave you a superiority which your talents were already giving you. If the slowness of our good allies and relatives, the Spaniards, permit British arrogance to cherish, still, an illusion and to hold New-York and New-Port this winter that will constitute for the English incalculable expenditures in men and money. ”

“ General Sullivan did me the honor of coming to see me and of communicating to me your views. I will second them with all my power. He is full of that spirit of activity and of combination that you inspire in all those who have served under your orders. I believe him as well as ourselves to be persuaded of the necessity of acting. The intrenchments that can be seen from above Connonicut increase daily. They are numerous. ”

“ I have repeatedly received accounts that ten regiments were held ready to embark. My
spies say that they are destined for the West Indies. But this they are obliged to take up from what is given out in New-York which may perhaps be contrary to their real designs purposely to amuse and deceive. One piece of intelligence, if true, strongly evinces an intention to send a body of troops to the West Indies it is —that they are taking the heavy linings out of a number of the soldiers coats and making up thin waistcoats and breeches. ”

“ I have read your Excellency's two favours of the 18th and 21th instant, with all the pleasure which the perusal of your letters never fails to inspire and which naturally attends the communications of those in whom we are warmly interested.
I rejoice with you in the prospect of your being so soon in a state to resume the sea—I cannot but ardently desire that an
opportunity may speedily be afforded you of again exerting that spirit of well directed activity and enterprise of which you have already given proofs so formidable to our enemies and so beneficial to the common cause. ”

“ Admiral Count iJ' Edlaing.
Sir,
I have had the honor of receiving your Excellency's letter of the 17th; the sentiments expressed in it flow from a great mind and prove the wisdom of his most Christian Majesty's choice in appointing you his military representative in America. I flatter myself with your Excellency that what only in a moment of chagrin assumed the air of a misunderstanding is buried in total
oblivion and that uninterrupted harmony will forbid its being brought to light again. ”

“ What you kindly say in it and the promptness with which it has reached me, show the interest which you take in what concerns the King's squadron, and I must own that although persuaded that the great motives of common interest are sufficient to prompt you in neglecting nothing, I dare hope that your feelings for a nation which reveres you and loves you render less importunate these numerous cares. If the gratitude of one individual could be regarded as of importance I would entreat you to accept his sincere hommage. ”

“ This extra year of war will make your forces indeed redoubtable, and a new nation like yours, to which nature gives as a gage an entire continent and the commerce of the whole universe has soon paid its debts. May Congress leave on a war footing for the rest of this season all those who are accustomed to be led by you. The English commissioners are still talking, we must be done with them. It is a service to be rendered them and they are only awaiting this last blow. ”

“ Your case has certainly been a case of peculiar hardship but you justly have the consolation which arises from a reflection that no exertions possible have been wanting in you, to insure success, the most ample and most adequate to your wishes and to the important expectations from your command. The disappointments you have experienced proceed from circumstances, which no human foresight or activity can controul. None can desire more ardently than I do, that the future may compensate for the past and that your efforts may be crowned with the full success they deserve. ”

“ Combattre l'ennemi est la seule chose qui puisse retarder dans cet excellent Officier ce que tous ceux qui servent sous votre Excellence appellent leur bonheur, celui de retourner augmenter le nombre de vos soldats et de vos admirateurs. ”

“ I am fully persuaded that every possible exertion will be made by you to accomplish the important purposes of your destination and you may have the firmest reliance, that my most strenuous efforts shall accompany you in any measure which may be found eligible.
I esteem myself highly honored by the desire you express with a frankness which must always be pleasing, of possessing a place in my friendship ”

“ The bravery with which your troops retired and the victory that they won in the plain over a superior number bring them a new glory. One only has to know the real number of soldiers in order to appreciate the value of it. ”

“ I am going to look for him on land in order that he may not loose precious time, the reputation of this General Officer makes me earnestly wish his arrival. His influence on his compatriots and his knowledge of the topography make him redoubtable to our common enemies. You know how to devine all our needs and the employment of the right men is, as I can see, one of the qualities which go to make a career as illustrious as yours. It is perhaps the most important trait of the character of a great General. ”

“ And though your success has not been equal to your expectations, yet you have the satisfaction to reflect that you have done essential service to the common cause.
I exceedingly lament that in addition to our misfortunes there has been the least suspension of harmony and good understanding between the generals of allied nations whose views must like their interests be the same on the first intimation of it, I employ my influence in restoring what I regard as essential to the permanence of an Union founded on mutual inclination, and the stongest ties of reciprocal advantage. ”

“ Il était impraticable de désarmer des vaisseaux tant qu'ils étaient nécessaires pour repousser ou pour attaquer l'escadre de l'Amiral Howe. On le pouvait encore moins lorsqu'elle était augmentée par la flotte de l'Amiral Biron et que les forces maritimes de l'ennemi acquéraient par là un degré de supériorité aussi
considérable. ”

“ All can throw light on the situation, and even though these different ways of leading us to erroneous conclusions may be employed, it is not less useful to know them all because several presumptions together become a strong proof.
The winds, which for several days have been favorable for coming from New-York and New-Port, will have increased the impatience of the English if their plan is to attack us and, if they risk it, we shall be indebted to you for the final preparations which will put us in the way of receiving them to the best of our ability. ”

“ Off Boston, october 9th 1778.
AU GÉNÉRAL WASHINGTON.
Monsieur,
J'ai l'honneur de remercier votre Excellence de la bonté qu'elle a eu de m'envoyer, le 13 d'Octobre, la lettre de l'Amiral Keppel à l'Amirauté d'Angleterre publiée par authorité ; devoir de la reconnaissance à ceux qu'on se plait à aimer autant qu 'on les respecte est un bonheur de plus.
La réflexion que vous faites sur la modestie anglaise et sur les exagérations que nos ennemis se permettent toujours pour
cacher les faits avec des paroles me semble ne laisser aucun doutte sur leur prétendüe victoire. ”

“ Vous savés deviner tout ce qu'il nous faut et la connaissance et l'employ des hommes propres à la chose est, d'après ce que je vois, une des qualités qui composent un caractère aussi illustre que le vôtre. ”

“ The intelligence of your arrival was communicated to me last night, by a letter from the Honle Mr. Laurens president of Congress, as you will perceive by the enclosed copy.
With respect to the number or force of the British Ships of War, in the port of New- York, I am so unhappy as not to be able to inform you of either, with the precision I could wish, as they are constantly shifting their stations. It is possible and I hope it is the case, that your advices on this subject, from some captures you may have made, are more certain that those of Congress or any I can offer. ”

“ I have just received advice that the Enemy are in daily expectation of a provision Fleet from Cook, and that they are under great apprehensions lest it should fall into your hands. You will also permit me to note that there is a navigation to New York from the sea besides the one between Sandy Hooke and Long Island; this lies between the latter and the State of Connecticut is commonly known by the name of the Sound and is capable of receiving ships of forty guns, then the passage, within seven miles of the City, at a particular place is extremely narrow and difficult. ”

“ La correspondance entre Washington et le comte d'Estaing a repris. Le général américain avise le vice-amiral de toutes les nouvelles qui lui parviennent : déposition de déserteurs qui ont vu arriver à New-York les forces navales de Byron, morcellement de la flotte anglaise en deux divisions, les divisions Byron et Gambier, que l'escadre française pourrait attaquer isolément. ”

“ It has surely not escaped Your Excellency; as for me, it seems to me that the step you have just taken towards us is a fortification; your name alone has become a rampart.
We are covered with attentions at Boston. All the officials give today a dinner, most of the guests being our officers. I was wrong, perhaps, in the beginning, in not putting a good deal of luxury and pomp in the hospitality that I returned because it seems to me that simplicity in social affairs befits those who are doing things and also the military life. ”

“ The defence which may be drawn from the natural advantages of situation, improved by works, and the numerous militia, that may be suddenly assembled, will, I hope, give security to the town and to your Excellency's Squadron against a land operation, and aided by the troops under General Sullivan which on an emergency would be employed for the same purpose, allow time for the arrival of this army. The troops you ask for at Boston will no doubt readily be granted and inspired by Mr. de Bougainville; in conjunction with those he already has maintain the important isthmus. ”

“ If the deepest regret that the best concerted enter-prises a and bravest exertions should have been rendered fruitless y a disaster which human prudence is incapable of foreseeing or preventing, can alleviate disappointment, you may be assured that the whole continent sympathises with you, it will be a consolation to you to reflect that the thinking part of mankind do not form their judgement from events and that their equity will ever attach equal glory to those actions which deserve success, as to those which have been crowned with it. ”

“ Tout peut éclairer et quoique l'on employe ces divers moyens pour jetter dans l'erreur, il n'en est pas moins utile de les savoir tous parce que plusieurs présomptions réunies deviennent une sorte de preuve. ”

“ These circumstances, together with the wounds which two of the assassins are said to have received from the french Grenadiers, may enable us to revenge the death of an officer whose fate we sincerely lament and to whose friends we are anxious to give the only satisfaction the unhappy case admits of. The Council of Boston will, I am persuaded, use their utmost exertions to discover and bring to punishment the instigators and perpetrators of this horrid crime. ”

“ There are circumstances which induce a belief of the enemy's intention to maintain a garrison at New-York after sending a sufficient detachment to their islands such are the superior advantages which this post and its dependencies possess for the security and support of a body of troops —the convenience of the port for distressing our trade• and the excellence of the general situation for prosecuting that kind of predatory and desultory war with which they seem to threaten us. ”

“ I hope Your Excellency will aid me as soon as possible in clearing up facts which should have a bearing on the measures that must be taken. My actions will always have for a first rule what you may find most useful for the general good. One of the greatest pleasures, in all circumstances, is to have the good opinion of those one reveres. ”

“ The uncertainty in which we are as to the activities of the English after the atrocious destruction of Bedfort leaves me in doubt as to whether this letter will reach you soon or not. Lieutenant Colonel de Fleury who is good enough to offer to deliver it will perhaps be kept here by the hope of giving new proofs of his zeal, courage and talents. To fight the enemy is the one thing which can delay this excellent Off icier in returning to increase the number of four soldiers and admirers that is what all those who serve you call their happiness. ”

“ Le désintéressement du Roy ne lui fait désirer que le bonheur de l 'Amérique et d'assurer à ses sujets ce qui semblerait devoir être le partage de tous les hommes. La perte que quelqu'uns de nos compatriottes viennent de faire sera, je l'espère, bientôt effacée par des dédomagemens que nous vous devrons. ”