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Memoirs, Correspondence and Manuscripts of General Lafayette by Lafayette

L >> Lafayette >> Memoirs, Correspondence and Manuscripts of General Lafayette






TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

(ORIGINAL.)

Danbury, July the 21st, 1780.

As I find an express going from Hartford to General Greene, I send this
letter to him that you might hear something further about the recruits
of Connecticut.

From the Colonel who under Gen. Parsons is intrusted with the care of
forwarding them, I hear that by the first of August two thousand of
them will be at West Point; but I had put in my head that they were to
bring arms with them, and I find it is not the case.

Gen. Parsons and myself will meet at Newtown, where, in mentioning
again to him the necessity of hurrying the recruits to West Point, I
will apprise him that you have been disappointed in the expectation of
some powder, and desire him to write to you how far, in case of an
emergency, you might be provided for with that article from his state.

In case Gen. Parsons thought that my waiting on the governor and
council might answer any purpose, I would go three or four miles out of
my way to preach to them some of my old sermons.

With the help of French horses whom I make free with on the road, I
hope I will arrive very soon at Rhode Island. Nothing about Graves'
fleet; but I am happy to think that they will find our people ready to
receive them at Newport.

When I wrote you, my dear General, that my heart was full of flattering
expectations, it is understood that I suppose a sufficiency of arms and
ammunition, which I thought so far useless to explain, as I hope you
believe I have some common sense. But I had an idea that the recruits
would be armed, and I yet think (though I had no reason to be
particular on that head) that you have many small arms in your stores.
For what relates to the powder, I hope that what you will get from the
states, and what I flatter myself to borrow from the French fleet, wilt
put you in a situation to wait for the alliance. You may remember that
the second division is to come before, or very little after, the
beginning of our operations.

I however confess it is impossible not to be very angry at captain
Jones's delays, and much disappointed in our expectations. The only
thing I want to know, is _if you depend on a sufficiency of arms and
ammunition for the first thirty days_. Be certain that before settling
any thing, my great basis will be, _when and how does the second
division come, and how far may we depend on the arms and ammunition
coming with them_.

I have the honor to be, respectfully, &c.



TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

(ORIGINAL.)

Hartford, July the 22d, 1780.~[1]

MY DEAR GENERAL,--I hasten to inform you that the missing transport is
safely arrived, on the 19th, at Boston. She is said to be a
two-decker, and to have on board a vast deal of powder, with pieces of
ordnance, and also the baggage of the officers of _Bourbonnsis_.--The
intelligence came this instant by an officer of our army who saw the
men encamped on the commons, from where they were to march to
Providence. Two American frigates were, I am told, ordered to convoy
the ship around the Rhode Island; but as their orders were to sail by
to-morrow, they will have time to receive contrary directions from the
French Admiral. The inclosed newspaper will acquaint you of Graves's
cruising off Block Island, and on their first appearance, Chev. de
Ternay will certainly dispatch an express to Boston.

In a conversation which I had yesterday with General Parsons, he told
me that he thought the number of your arms in stores, amounted to ten
thousand, exclusive of those which are now in the hands of the men. He
seems to be of opinion, and so is Col. Wadsworth, that there is no
inconvenience in their State's furnishing their drafts with arms, and
giving even a larger proportion if thought necessary. They say those
arms may be by the 5th of August at King's Ferry. I was so particular
as to make myself certain that this demand will not in the least
impeach any other measure, and as it would be too distressing to fall
short on that article, I will take on myself, though in a private
capacity, to persuade the Governor and Council in the measure of arming
every one of the men whom they send out, and forwarding the arms to
King's Ferry, or West Point, as you may direct.

As to the matter of ammunition Gen. Parsons thinks that (as far as he
may guess,) near fifty tons of powder might be collected. Col.
Wadsworth says he can't ascertain the quantity. They have three mills,
and from what I can collect, I am certain that if you attack New York,
this State will do all in their power. I will foretell the Governor,
that he will have a large demand of ammunition, and let you know how
much we are to depend upon, as far as I may guess from his answer.
Massachusetts have, say they, a vast deal of powder.

I intend to breakfast at Newport the day after to-morrow, and as soon
as I can make out any thing worth the while, from my conversation with
them, I will let you know every matter that may be interesting.

With the highest respect and most tender friendship, I have the honor
to be, dear General, &c.

I am told that the French are in a great want of vegetables. I think it
will be agreeable to them to forward their waggons and horses as much
as possible.~[2]


Footnotes:

1. It appears from Spark's Hist. of Washington, p. 125. n. that in his
progress to New Port, General Lafayette called on Governor Trumbull,
General Parsons, Mr. Jeremiah Wadsworth, the Commissary-General, and
other persons in Connecticut, to procure and hasten forward the quota
of troops, and such supplies of arms and ammunition as could be spared
from that State, to co-operate with the French troops upon their
landing.

2. The answer to the above letter appears in Spark's Writ. of
Washington, Vol. 7, p 125, See also ib. p.127, note.



TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

(ORIGINAL.)

Lebanon, July the 23d, 1780.~[1]

MY DEAR GENERAL,--I had this morning the honor to wait on His
Excellency, the governor, and took the liberty, though in a private
capacity, to inform him of our circumstances. The result of our
conversation I will therein transmit to you, and to be more certain of
conveying the governor's ideas, I am writing at his own house, and will
show him my letter before I fold it up.

To begin by the article of powder which is so much wanted, and which,
from unforeseen circumstances may, by its deficiency, ruin all our
expectations, I am, by the Governor, desired to tell you that you may
depend upon: 1stly. Fifty four tons for the present. 2dly, Fifteen tons
to be made up in the course of August, by the three Connecticut Mills.
3dly, Twenty tons, which in case of an absolute necessity, will be
found out in this State; the whole amounting to eighty-five tons, which
he would try to encrease, if possible, to ninety. How far that may
fulfil your expectations, I don't know, but his Excellency will wait
for a letter from you on this subject.

As to the balls, shells, &c., the Governor cannot as yet ascertain the
quantity to be expected, but thinks this State may go a great length.

His resources for arms have been, it seems, overrated by General
Parsons, and other gentlemen, whose opinions I had communicated to your
Excellency. The Governor thinks that it would be difficult to arm the
whole of the recruits. He will, however, if requested by you, do any
thing in his power, and might have a good prospect of succeeding for
the half part of them.

Tho' I had no orders for this interview with Governor Trumbull, and
from the knowledge of our circumstances, took upon myself the freedom
of disclosing them to him, I heard your Excellency's sentiments on one
point so often, so strongly, and so repeatedly expressed, that I could
with all certainty assure him, that you would not ask from the State
more than is necessary to answer our great purposes, and in delivering
the country from the danger of ruin and the disgrace of a shameful
inability, to turn this decisive crisis to the honor and safety of
America.

I took also the liberty of mentioning something about clothing the
officers, and assured the Governor that you thought the measure to be
highly necessary. He entirely agrees in opinion with me, and does not
doubt but that at the first meeting of the Council a sufficient sum in
hard money will be delivered for that purpose. The knowledge I have of
Colonel Wadsworth's zeal and activity makes me desirous that he be
intrusted with that business.

As to the clothing from the fleet, it seems the Governor wishes it to
be sent into Connecticut river, and I will engage the French Admiral
into that measure; for I am very warm in this opinion, my dear General,
and so I know you are, that as less trouble as possible must be given
to the people whose exertions should be entirely thrown in such
channels, as are of absolute necessity; but if we can't send the
clothing around without an eminent danger of its being taken, then his
Excellency the Governor will send it with all possible dispatch and by
pressed waggons from the boundaries of Rhode Island to any place on the
North River, which is mentioned in Mr. Olney's instructions.

I have the honour to be, dear General, &c.

Your's, &c.

P. S.--I have read my letter to the Governor and he agrees with the
contents. He will immediately give orders about the Mills, and collect
four hundred french arms he had in stocks.~[2]


Footnotes:

1. This is one of the letters referred to in Gen. Washington's letter
of 20th July. Spark's Writ. of Wash. v, 7, p.128.

2. For the answer to the above, see Spark's Writ. Of Wash. v. 7, p.124.



TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

(ORIGINAL.)

Newport, July 26th, 1780.

MY DEAR GENERAL,--Every private intelligence from Long-Island, and also
the letters from General Howe, and the officer on the lines do agree
with the note I have received from Colonel Hamilton, and are all
positive upon it that General Clinton, with a great part of his army,
is coming to attack the French troops.

In consequence of this Count de Rochambeau is fortifying both Islands,
and making preparations of defence. He has requested our calling
immediately a body of militia, which demand has been complied with by
General Heath.

After many intelligences had been received, I did yet persist in
disbelieving the report, but they now come from so many quarters, that
I am obliged to yield to the general idea, and expect them in a little
time.

I have no doubt but that in the course of the day we will receive some
orders, and some intelligences from head-quarters. The French Generals
have asked me if your army was in a situation to make a diversion, or
if a part of it would not be marched immediately to our relief. My
answer was, that if you was able to do one or the other, you would
certainly not lose a minute, but that I could not tell them any thing
positive; that however, I thought you would come nearer to New-York
than you was when at Preakaness.

All the last day has been employed or in viewing the camp with Count de
Rochambeau, or in helping General Heath in his arrangements. This
morning the Count is gone to reconnoitre the grounds on the Island. We
dine together at the Admiral's, and I will, if possible, begin our
conversation, our affairs exclusive of what we are now expecting from
the enemy.

In case you was to send some troops this way, I wish I might get notice
in such a time as to have some clothing kept on the road, but in all
cases we should take some well looking and well dressed men; that, I
only mention as a mere supposition.

If the enemy mean regular approaches the French Generals say that they
would give time for a succour to come. In all suppositions I don't
think the French will be able to form a junction before some time, as
they can't leave the Island before the fifteenth of next month, (in
supposing that they are not attacked.) They have many sick, but I will
soon be able to tell you more about it, and had not those intelligences
been so pressing, I might have by this time fully spoken on our affairs
with the French Generals.

For my part, my dear General, till orders from you fix any thing I am
to do, I will stay here under General Heath's orders, and help him to
the best of my skill. As soon as any thing important comes to us I will
send you an express.

From private inquires I hope the fleet will furnish us with some
powder. As to the militia who are called by General Heath, the French
army will spare to them such provisions as may be wanted.

I have the honor to be with the most perfect respect and tender
affection, Yours, &c.



TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

(ORIGINAL.)

Newport, July the 26th, at Seven o'clock, P. M.~[1]

My Dear General,--I had this morning the honor of writing to you by
Genl. Heath's express, and informed you that we had from every official
and private quarter minuted accounts of the enemy's coming in great
force to attack this island. For my part I have been a long time a
disbeliever of the intelligence; but so many letters came to hand that
at length I was forced to take the general opinion about their intended
expedition. But, tho' I wrote you in the morning, I know you are
anxious of hearing often from this quarter, and will therefore desire
General Heath to send an other express.

Nothing as yet (the ships of war excepted) has come in sight; but the
French Generals who have not the smallest doubt about their coming, are
hurrying their preparations of defence.

General Heath and myself were invited to a meeting of the French
General Officers, wherein, to my great satisfaction, the idea of
holding both Connecticut and Rhode Island was abandoned, as it is
assured that from the first one the enemy cannot annoy our shipping, if
in a certain position. Count de Rochambeau, Chevalier de Chattelux, and
myself, went afterwards to dine with the Admiral, and the two French
Commanders have agreed to the following plan:

The transports to be put in the harbour of Newport; the shipping to
anchor along the shore from Brenton's Point, going Northward, where
they are protected by batteries, a frigate and a cutter to be stationed
in Sekonnet Passage; the army to encamp at its usual place, but upon
the appearance of the enemy, to be in readiness to attack them at any
point where they may disembark, and, if unsuccessful, to retire to the
position which was once occupied by the enemy. There they want also to
place some militia. Count de Rochambeau cannot hear of the idea of
evacuating the island, and says he will defend this post to the last
man. I could not help advising him very strongly and very often to
erect works, and keep a communication open with the Continent by
Howland's Ferry or Bristol Point, that matter will, I hope, be attended
to in the course of the next day.

General Heath will inform you of the measures he has taken, in which,
as the second officer, I am only to help him to the best of my power.
The Count's urging request, made it, I think, necessary to call for
Militia.

The number of sick is such that by the return given before me to Count
de Rochambeau, it appears they will have but three thousand six hundred
men fit for duty if they are attacked within a few days. The fleet has
a great proportion of sick men and the ships are therefore poorly
manned for the present.

Count de Rochambeau asked me so often if you would not send a body of
Continental troops to their relief; if, in the course of twelve days
from this they could not be arrived, or that I knew he wanted me to
write to you about it, and at length he told me he did not want it. But
this must be _between us_. The Count says he will stand a storm; but if
the enemy wanted to make a long work of it that a corps of Continental
troops in their rear would have the best effects. That in this case the
enemy would be much exposed on the Island, and that the circumstances
which would follow their re-embarking, would be so fatal to them as to
facilitate our operations for the campaign. All this, my dear General,
I was in a private manner desired to hint to you.

We could not speak of our grand operations, and they are wholly taken
in their expectations of the enemy. But what might be an inducement to
send a corps this way is, that in any case the French will not be able
to march before the 15th of August.

A return of the clothing has been promised to me for this evening, but
tho' I am sorry to be the news-bearer of so many disappointments, I
must tell you that from what they said to me nothing but a small part
of the clothing has been intrusted to them, and that not only nothing
new has been done, but what I had settled has been undone by those
arrangements of the alliance which I can't conceive. In case you was to
send troops this way, I think their route to Providence should be
known, so that they might meet the clothing on the way. What you will
do, my dear General, I don't know, but it seems Count de Rochambeau is
determined to defend Newport, at all events.

With the most perfect respect and tender sentiments, I have the honor
to be, Yours, &c.


Footnote:

1. For the answer to this letter, See Spark's Writ. of Wash. v. 7,
p.128.



TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

(ORIGINAL.)

Newport, July the 29th, 1780.

My Dear General,--Your letter of the 22d~[1] came to hand last evening,
and I hasten to answer at least to a part of its contents. I shall
begin by the disagreeable disappointment I met with on account of our
clothing. Inclosed, my dear General, you will find the return of what
has been put on board of the fleet, which I have sent by a vessel to
Providence, and which will be forwarded to head-quarters. I can't tell
you how much I feel for that shoking arrangement of clothing, but as it
is not quite so essential to arms and powder, if we have no clothing. I
shall be the forwardest to advise our acting without it. I am apt to
blush for neglecting improvements that are within my reach, but I
readily do without those which are not in our power.

As to the affair of arms I spoke this morning to the Count, and am
sorry to find that he has but the most necessary articles of exchange
which are to answer to the daily broken arms, &c., his superfluous
armament is coming in the second division, and for the present there is
nothing to expect from that quarter. The only way, my dear General,
will be to request the States to pick up arms for their recruits.
Governor Trumbull, (as you may have seen by my letter from Lebanon,)
thinks there is a great deal of difficulty in this matter; but many
other Gentlemen from the State assure that it can be done. I will
desire Colonel Wadsworth to manage that affair with the Governor, and I
will also write a private letter to Mr. Bowdoin and Governor Greene.

As to the powder, my dear General, I hope the Navy will give us some,
not however a great deal. You cannot conceive how difficult it is for
the present to speak with them on offensive plans. They expect Clinton
at every minute, and say his success will decide our operations, I had
however this morning a conversation with the Land General, and was to
see in the evening the Admiral, who, I am told, cannot come, so that I
must delay it to be done to-morrow.

Connecticut will, I think, furnish you with a much greater quantity
than you expected. How far it will fulfil your purpose I hope to hear
from you; but I cannot flatter you to get so much from the fleet as two
hundred, even as hundred tons.

I have fully considered, my dear General, the idea of those French
Generals, and made myself acquainted with every thing that has past
since my departure from France. A great mismanagement in the affair of
transports, has prevented the whole coming here at once; but as the
French and Spaniards have a superiority, there is no doubt but that if
they join together as was intended, the second division will be here in
less than three of four weeks. The fleet on this Continent will, I
hope, be commanded by Mr. Duchoffaut, and will be very superior to that
of the enemy. If by an unlucky chance the junction was prevented, the
second division would yet certainly come in the autumn, and be in a
situation to act during the winter; but I have all reasons to believe
that they will be here in three weeks, and you may depend upon it that
they will at all events be here for the winter. From what I have been
intrusted with I have a pretty certain ground to hope that my letter
will produce upon Count de Guichen, the desired effect, and after an
expedition which I can't trust to paper, will be concluded, you may, I
think, depend upon his coming this way with a good part of his fleet.

In a word, the French Ministry are determined to keep here during the
war a land and naval force which will act on the Continent till a peace
is concluded, and to support it with all their power. They look upon
Rhode Island as a point to be kept for receiving their fleets and their
reinforcements of troops, and want the defence of it to be such an
object as will insure the basis of our operations.

Before settling any thing the French Generals want to hear from their
second division. _Don't fear by any means_ their acting rashly, and be
assured that you may very far depend on their _caution_; but our wants
of arms and ammunition have made me also very cautious. If the States
furnish us with a sufficiency of the first article, and almost a
sufficiency of the second, which we will make up with the fleet, then I
am most strongly of opinion that waiting for the second division is all
together wrong and unwarrantable.

I have, however, brought Count de Rochambeau to this, viz.:--That if
the second division comes we must attack. That in all cases, if we are
masters of the water, we may attack; and that we may do it if the
Admiral thinks that we can secure the passage by batteries, and if each
part is equal to the whole of the enemy.

We must now see what the Admiral has to say. What he wrote about the
harbour of New York don't please me. If Duchoffaut comes, I answer for
anything you wish. To-morrow I will speak with the two Gentlemen, so at
least I hope, and will let you know their answers.

If the second division comes in time we shall certainly act and
succeed. Then we will have our arms, powder, clothing, &c.

I never thought, my dear General, that Clinton would come this way; nor
do I think it now, but every body says he is coming. Governor Clinton
has it as a certainty, and upon his letter received this morning they
have altered the arrangement; I had settled to dismiss the
extraordinary militia. I hate troubling all these people, and taking
them away from their harvest. Gen. Heath is of my opinion, but the
intelligences are so particular, so authentic, that he dares not to
neglect to gather as many men as possible. Before you receive this you
will certainly know the truth of those reports.

If you think, my dear General, that Clinton is coming, and if he
disembarks upon Rhode Island, I am clearly of opinion that three or
four thousand Continental troops and the militia landing on his rear,
while the Count would sally from Newport, would ruin the British army,
and that the taking of New York would be but a trifle after such a
stroke.

In case you adopt the measure, I think that the communication with the
main is very important. I went yesterday to the North end of the
Island, and had the works repaired in such a way (at least they will be
soon so) as to keep up a communication by Howland's Ferry for eight or
ten days after the enemy will possess the Island. I have also desired
Colonel Greene, in case they appear, to run up the boats to Slave
Ferry. Signals have been established from Watch Point to Connanicut;
all those arrangements I have made with the approbation and by the
orders of General Heath.

You will by this express receive a letter from Genl. Heath, who applies
for, and most ardently wishes a leave of repairing to his command in
the grand army. For my part, my dear General, I will, I think, wait
your answer to this, and want to know if by the situation of your arms
and ammunition, there is a possibility of your acting before the second
division comes. If from the answers of the States you think _such a
proportion_ of powder from the fleet will be sufficient; then I will be
more positive. If, however, after my conversations, I was to see that
the second division must be waited for at all events, then I need not
be waiting for your answer to this. I will, therefore, my dear General,

1st, Or arrange with them a beginning of operations before the second
division comes, and then wait for your answer about arms and
ammunition, or the prospects I may have by myself to fix it entirely.

2d, Or fix our plans for the moment the second division comes, and then
I will, as soon as possible, repair to head-quarters.

They seem rather doubtful of the possibility of landing safely, and
having a sufficiency of boats to carry them under the protection of our
Westchester batteries, and I beg you will give me such a note about it
as I might show to them.

With the highest respect and most tender friendship, I have the honor
to be, dear General,

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Turkey is restoring the citizenship of its most famous 20th century poet Nazim Hikmet over 50 years after it branded him a traitor.

Hikmet, a communist who died in exile in Moscow in 1963, was imprisoned in Turkey for more than a decade. He was stripped of his Turkish nationality in 1951 because of his communist views, but despite a ban on his poetry which remained in place until 1965, has remained one of Turkey's best-loved poets. His work, much of which was written in prison, including his masterpiece Human Landscapes, has been translated into more than 50 languages.

"This is very good news," said Richard McKane, Hikmet's English translator. "The restoration of his Turkish citizenship is long overdue: the people of Turkey and his readers are owed that."

Immortalised by Pablo Neruda, with whom he shared the Soviet Union's International Peace Prize in 1950, with the lines "Thanks for what you were and for the fire / which your song left forever burning", Hikmet was also supported by Jean-Paul Sartre and Pablo Picasso. Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk, when given the editorship for a day of Turkish newspaper Radikal two years ago, used the example of Hikmet in his cover story to criticise the lack of freedom of expression in Turkey. In 2000, 500,000 Turks petitioned the government to restore Hikmet's citizenship rights and repatriate his remains.

Deputy prime minister Cemil Cicek told the Associated Press that it was time for the government to change its mind about Hikmet. "The crimes which forced the government to strip him of his citizenship at that time are no longer considered a crime," the BBC quoted him as saying.

Hikmet, whose remains are currently in Russia, had said that he wished to be buried in Turkey in his 1953 poem Testament, translated by Ruth Christie. "Friends if it's not my lot to see the day / of independence... / if I die before that day / - and it seems I will - / bury me in a village graveyard in Anatolia / and if it's fitting / and a plane tree grows at my head, / then there's no need for a gravestone or anything else."

Cicek said that Hikmet's family would now decide whether to ship his remains back to his homeland.

Hikmet introduced free verse to Turkey in the 1930s, with his themes ranging from war to love. Despite his imprisonment he retained a deep passion for Turkey. "I love my country", he wrote in one of his poems. "I swung in its lofty trees, I lay in its prisons. Nothing relieves my depression like the songs and tobacco of my country."

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