Washington, George (1732-1799) to Alexander McDougall
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02795 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: Gulph Mill, Pennsylvania Type: Letter signed Date: 16 December 1778 Pagination: 2 p. : address : docket : free frank ; 34.2 x 21 cm. Order a Copy
Written by Washington as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army to Major General McDougall as commander of the Hudson Highlands Department. Place written inferred from George Washington Papers, which place his headquarters at Gulph Mill, Pennsylvania that day. References McDougall's letter of 9 December 1778. Says Sir Henry Clinton's fruitless naval expedition up the Hudson in December 1778 was not worth the trouble. Mentions the necessity of shuffling several officers into different commands and hopes it does not cause too many problems. Approves of his choices and management thus far. Congress had sent him a plan on a joint American-French invasion of Canada in 1779 and seeks McDougall's opinion on such an enterprise. Washington was suspicious of allowing the French army loose in its old domains, but he followed orders and sought out advice. Hopes to gain posts in Canada to protect the frontier and to possibly join Canada as a province of "the confederacy." Washington says that the least they could do is secure the Niagara region, which would entail destroying British naval forces on Lake Ontario. Says the British have three ships and asks McDougall what it would take to control the lake. Goes into the details of how and where any possible ships would be built. Before McDougall could reply, Congress reversed their decision and abandoned the Canadian expedition. Large red wax seal is still extent. Letter is beginning to tear at the fold.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Head Quarters Decr. 16th. 1778
Dr. Sir
I duly received your favor of the 9th and am much obliged to you for the several particulars you communicate. The prize gained by Sir Henry Clinton seems hardly to have been worth the trouble of the expeditions
I am sorry that Col Malcolm is not sensible of the necessity which has deprived him of his late command - The very advantageous opinion I entertain of him made me wish it had been possible to continue him in it; but it could not have been done without giving just cause of dissatisfaction to many other deserving officers, besides injuring the service in some other respects as I mentioned to him in a letter from Paramus, - I think the Col on cooler reflection will come to feel the force of the motives, which have occasioned the change.
You will detain Colo. Gouvion with you 'till you hear further on the subject. General Du Portail, to whom I generally leave the particular arrangements of his Corps, is now at Philadelphia. Inclosed is a line to Mr. Gouvion directing him to continue with you 'till further orders.
I intirely approve the dispositions you have made - and have the most perfect reliance on your future good management.
There is a matter of no small importance in which, I shall be obliged to you, for your opinion, as speedily and fully as possible. The probable prospects of next campaign make [inserted: it] the part of prudence to be turning our attention towards Canada, and to be preparing as far as our circumstances will permit for operations in that Quarter, either partially agains[t] those posts, which enable the Enemy to distress our frontiers, Niagara &c., or more extensively, for the Union of that Province to the confederacy, as the future posture of our affairs, may put it in our power to undertake - Perhaps the more partial plan may best suit our resources. - The reduction of Niagara, if it can be effected, is an event essential to the tranquillity of the States. This is not to be accomplished, without destroying the Enemys naval force on Lake Ontario; the means of doing which is what I wish at this time to have your sentiments concerning. They have by the best information I can procure - three armed Vessels on the Lake-two of eighteen six pounders each and one small one with swivels. - I presume you [2] are informed of the nature of the navigation on the Lake it is said to be often very turbulent and difficult - the question then is - what kind of vessels, what number and with what force will give us a moral certainty of acquiring the necessary superiority on the Lake? In determining this question we are to consider the time and means we have for building - the place where it will be best to build - the transportation of the Vessels from that place to Lake Ontario, - the facility of furnishing them with the number and size of cannon, which will be proper, and the possibility of the Enemy's constructing other Vessels on the Lake in addition to those they already have there, by the time the season for beginning our operations arrives, or after they are actually begun. These and many other particulars, which ought to be taken into consideration will occur to you; and after viewing the subject in all its lights, you will be good enough to favor me with your Ideas at large - The place where the Vessels ought to be built is a point of material consequence; because as that is more or less remote from the object we have in view, our design will be the more or less easily discovered. If we should be obliged to build at Oswego it might perhaps announce our intention with too great certainty - whereas it might be better covered by building somewhere on the upper part of the Hudson, so as to create a jealousy for Lake Champlain; but the expediency of this must depend on the degree of difficulty in transporting the Vessels after they are built. - I need not suggest to you the necessity of secrecy in this affair.
I am Dr. Sir
With great esteem & regard
Your most Obet Servant
Go: Washington
Genl. McDougal
[docket]
Genl Washington
of 16th decr 1778
109
(copied WWH)
[address leaf]
On Public Service
To
Major Genl. Mc. Dougal
near
Go: Washington Peekskill
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