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Varick, Richard (1753-1831) to Dirck Romeyn

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03265 Author/Creator: Varick, Richard (1753-1831) Place Written: Garrison, New York Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 24 September 1780 Pagination: 3 p. : address : docket ; 34 x 22 cm. Order a Copy

Says his he spent all of the previous night on "public letters" which now occupy all his time, and must be brief. Says Luzerne stopped with them on his way to meet Rochambeau, Ternay, and Lafayette. This would be the Frenchmen's first meeting with George Washington, who is not mentioned in the letter. Relates the events of the Battle of Camden, as told to him by Luzerne. Says the Maryland troops fought bravely, and if General Horatio Gates had not fled the Americans might have won. Says General William Smallwood served bravely but eventually had to withdraw. Despite the loss Luzerne called it "the most glorious action of the prest Age between such unequal numbers." Also says Gates in his flight "rode 190 or 200 miles in 1 1/2 days." Varick hopes Gates will "have justice exercised upon him." Gates was soon replaced as commander of the Southern forces. Also discusses possible assistance from French navy.
The letter was written from "Head Quarters Robinsons House," a mansion located just across the river from West Point. It served as Benedict Arnold's residence while in command of West Point. It had been confiscated from prominent loyalist Beverly Robinson. The day before this letter was written Arnold became aware that he was suspected of treason, and fled the Robinson House. Though aware of all this, and deeply upset by Arnold's actions, Varick makes no mention whatsoever of these events.

Richard Varick served as commissary general of musters, aide de camp to Benedict Arnold, and George Washington's private secretary. Later became mayor of New York City.
Dirck Romeyn was a prominent pastor on the American side during the revolution, and later helped found Union College is Schenectady, New York.
Anne-César chevalier de La Luzerne was the French minister to the American colonies. Just before Benedict Arnold defected he asked Luzerne for a loan, but was rejected.
Charles-Henri-Louis d’Arsac de Ternay was a French rear admiral who served as the senior naval officer under Rochambeau during the American Revolution.
Jean Baptiste Donatien de Vimeure Rochambeau commanded the French army that assisted the American forces during the Revolution.

Head Quarters Robinson's House
Sept. 24th. 1780, 6 ¼ oClock
Dear Sir
I have the Pleasure of acknowledging the receipt of your favor of the 17th in the Eveng. of the 18th. It occasioned to me great Distress to be informed of the Indisposition of both father & mother & especially of the latter by a Letter from sister Jane, by Sergt. Pike.
I wish you could have been longer, as I have not recd. the News You mention, in answer to mine of the 17th. Ult., But the Duties of the Day plead your Suffict. Apology.
Public Bussiness increases in my Hands, my whole time is taken up in public letters & I have little Opportunity to indulge my wishes in private Correspondence, but by loading my emaciated home with a Burthen which may prove inconvenient to it. In public Bussiness & private letters I spent almost all the last night after Company had retired to rest I laid myself on my Bed [inserted: at 4] so fatigued as to receive not a moments Sleep. - I must therefore in some measure decline with my Correspondents & in the first Place, I shall (speaking in the Military State) incorporate Your & Mr. Wilsons correspondence & must curtail my Letters, this is from his agreeable Majesty, I do assure You [2] Be so good as to inform him of it & acknowledge the recd. of his of the 17th. on the 20th. -
Last Evening the Chevalier De Luzerne with three other Gentrs. waited on us on their way to Connecticut to meet Count De Rochambeau & De Ternay at Hartford from a Conference with whom, we this Evening expect His Excellency; the Marquis De Lafayette, & Genl Knox on a visit in their return to Camp. - The Chevalier left us this morning at 6 OClock. - This Gentr. Says that the Maryland Troops gained immortal Honor in the Action of the 16th. Augt. -Memorable Day at Bennington in 1777. - That had Gates supported them Cornwallis must have been ruined; nay had Gates been near with his troops, [strikeout: ill.] the Earl must have retreated to Charles town, for Smallwood remained master of the field of Action, but prudence dictated not to let superior numbers rally & set his Gallant Handful to theirs. - The Chevalier calls it the most glorious Action of the prest. Age, between such unequal Numbers. - he says Gates rode 190 or 200 in 14 Days.
It is said Congress have recd Advices that the now M. Genl. Smallwood sent an Express to Maryland to inquire for Gates; that he was lost & not to be found. Saved hits for those in Oppositions & what among Days is called a rising Blow to Mr Gates. - I hope he will have Justice exercised upon them. [3]
It is rumoured, how two thousand, that the Count De Guichers came from the West Indies in 24 Sail under pretext of sendg. 12 to Europe & 12 to us. That by Agreement they parted, met again in a certain Latitude; the Spanish Fleet went to Cuba or Havannah & that the Whole force is returned for some deadly Stroke in the W. Indies This was a [press?] to call off part of Sir Geo. B Rodneys fleet with the Force at New York would have been equal to the Combined [inserted: Fleet], as they were heavy Ships. Thus I have given You a Report only - Draw your own Inferences. -
Let me beg you to tell Jane to read my [Letter?] & answer them by Paragraphs like a woman of Bussiness & to give the Horseman some Grain for his Horse there, & a little in one of my Table Clothes, which she will sew into a Bag.
I must conclude, I have detained [Avirell?] the Express too long - My Respects to Mrs. Romeyn to Wilson & those who inquire after me & at the same merit my notice
With sentiments of sincere Regard & Affectn - I remain Sincerely Your Friend
& Hble Servt.
Rich.d Varick
The Revd Mr Romeyn

Varick, Richard, 1753-1831
Romeyn, Dirck, 1744-1804
Gates, Horatio, 1728-1806
Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, marquis de, 1757-1834
La Luzerne, Anne César de, 1741-1791
Rochambeau, Jean-Baptiste-Donatien de Vimeur, comte de, 1725-1807
Smallwood, William, 1732-1792
Ternay, Charles Louis d'Arsac, Chevalier de, 1722-1780

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