Varick, Richard (1753-1831) to Henry Glen

Poughkeepsie May 18th 1783
Sunday 4 OClock P.M.

My dear Sir
Last Evening on my return from the New City in Orange County where I have attended the Court of Common Pleas, & from Whence I paid my friends at Hackensack a 12 Hours Visit & retd. from thence to this place by the Way of Head Quarters, I found in my Office your favor of the 14th. addressed to me by Major Shirtliff & agreeable to the Wishes of Mr. John Glen & yourself I have this day waited on his Excellency Governor Clinton & obtained from him the Passport you request, which I, with pleasure, do myself the Honor of inclosing[.] thro Inadvertence I disfurnished it of one half the paper. I heartily wish you a very agreeable party of it and a happy sight of your Friends in Canada; and a safe return to your own Country. Be pleased to make my Compliments to Jacob & to such other of my Acquaintances in that Quarter, as may not deem the tender officious & impertinent. -
As you hint a wish to be in some Measure informed of the late Interview between their Excellencies Genl Washington, Sir Guy Carleton, the Govr. & others, I will give you a short detail of such particulars as do not interfere with the Duties of my Situation with the Commander in Chief & Govr. Clinton, the last of whom I attended in Quality of an Aide de Camp in the room of Lt. Colo. Robt Benson (Lt. Colo. Stephen Rush being near his wife's apron strings).
On Saturday the 3rd inst. His Excellency the Commander in Chief & the Governor attended by Jno. Morris Scott Esquire, Lt Colos. Trumbull, Cobb, Humphreys & Varick went down in a Barge from Head Quarters [inserted: dined with M. Genl Knox Commandr of West Point lodged at Peeks Kill] & arrived at Tappan Sloat on Sunday abt. 10 OClock. - where Major Fish had arrived with a Command of four Companies of Light Infantry of the Line of the Army on the night proceeding. [2] The Company, after taking a small repast at the Sloat, which was there prepared by Mr Saml. Francis (commonly called Black Sam) who came up [inserted: from N.Y.] to superintend the Entertainment on the part of the American Commander in Chief, the Genl, Govr. & Co. proceded to Orange Town, where a Dinner was prepared.
Sir Guy embarked onBoard of the Perseverance Frigate a 36 Gun Ship one of the new Construction & best in the B. Navy, on Sunday the 4th at 12'Clock, but did not arrive till Monday Evening, he having, previously dispatched Major Beckwith his Aide de Camp to announce his Approach who came in at Orange Town abt. 5 OClock; from whence Lt. Colo. Humphrys [sic] attended him on Board the Perseverance to be informed by Sir Guy when he would wish to land. Sir Guy having stipulated the Time of Landing, His Excellency the Commander in Chief attended by [struck: his] two Aides de Camp only, [inserted: Humphreys & Cobb] went down to Onderdoncks in Tappan Bay & recd. Sir Guy at Landing & in after the Ceremonies of Landing & shaking Hands were over received Sir Guy in his four Horse Carriage & came up to Orange Town attended by Lt. Govr. Andw. Elliot & Ch. Justice Wm. Smith (who chose to walk it up abt. 3 miles) & Mr. Secretary Morgan, Majors Beckwith & Upham Aides de Camp, Captn. [Sesteryche ?] of the Perseverance & young Mr. John White a Midshipman of the Quebec frigate, son of Henry White Esquire of New York They were [received?] [inserted: saluted] at Tappan by Major Fish's Detachment with Drums beating & Colours flying & afterwards in the same Manner by Captn. Hamtramck's Company of the 2nd N. York Light Infantry which was on duty at the Commander in Chiefs Quarters. - They were introduced by Genl Washington to the Govr. Genl Scott & the other Gentlemen, & soon after they returned to a Room to open the Business of the Interview which was opened by the Commander in Chief in a masterly Manner & then replied to by Sir Guy, after which much General [3] Conversation took place on the Subject of the Treaty & the Transactions incident thereto & already executed & yet to take place, a short detail of which as far as respects the Govr. (whom I attended, not conceivinging [sic] myself at Liberty from my relation in public Duty with the Commd. in Chief to go further). I will subjoin.
About three Hours after (abt. 4 OClock) a most sumptuous Dinner was prepared by Mr. Francis & abt. 30 of us (being then joined by Messrs. Duer, Parker Lt Colo. Wm. S. Smith, Commdg. of Pres[ident]t Major Fish & some of his Officers & some others) sat down & eat & drank in Peace & good fellowship, without drinking any Toasts. And abt. 6. Sir Guy & his Associates retired.
In the Evening Letters were written by the Genl & Govr. on the subject of the days Interview to Sir Guy, which were dispatched the next Morning on Board the Perseverance & Answers expected on the next day; But Sir Guy's Illness of an Ague which he caught before he embarked or on Board Ship prevented Answers till lately.
On Wednesday the Commander in Chief, the Govr. Genl. Scott LtColos. Humphreys, Cobb, Trumbull, Smith & Varick & Major Fish & Messrs. Duer & Parker went to dine on Board Ship, then lying off our post at Dobb's Ferry, on our coming on Board the Marines were parraded [sic] & saluted & soon after 17. 24 pounders fired [inserted: & then detached Conferences took place] - Sir Guy was confined to his Bed till after dinner, - An Elegant Dinner (tho not equal to the American) was prepared & we sat down in perfect Harmony & Conviviality; - When Sir Guy's fit went off, he came up & returned to his Cabin attended by our Commd. in Chief & after a Conference of a short Duration between the two Genls. we prepared for our return & were saluted in the same Manner & with 17 pieces. - Then ended that great formal Business, & next morning (the 8th. Sir Guy went to Town & [4] we up the Hudson. -
Sir Guy proposed giving up Westchester County to the State which took place by withdrawing his troops from Morrissania on the 14th. - All the Rest of the posts will be given up as early as possibly they can. -
The first Division of Cornwallis's Army have already arrived in New York last week & the others are coming on rapidly to comply with our part of the provisional Treaty. - I hope to see you soon in our Capital. -
Our friend Fish had a very honorary Command of 300 as good & well dressed Light Infantry men under 32 Years of Age as ever graced a field of Battle & his Conduct on this & all other Occasions of a military Nature do him equal Honor.
I must [strikeout] beg my respects to Mrs. H. Glen & her family. Also to your B[rothe]r. his Lady & Daughter. And wish you to be assured that I shall ever esteem myself happy in rendering either any Service in my Power.
Accept of my best wishes, excuse my Hastily Scroll & believe me Sincerely Your Friend & Hble Servt.
Richd. Varick.

P.S. Let not this Scroll go beyond your small Circle. & Wm. Van Ingin to Whom I beg my best respects.

Henry Glen Esquire.

[docket]
Colonel Varick.
May 18, 1783-