Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de,

Letter signed ("Lafayette"), text in the hand of James McHenry, 2 pages (12 5/8 x 7 7/8 in.; 321 x 199 mm) on a single leaf (watermarked pro patria), Holt's Forge, 2 September 1781, to an unidentified recipient (possibly Governor Thomas Nelson Jr. of Virginia), docketed at foot of second page; very lightly browned, pinholes at insecting folds. Half blue morocco folding-case, red morocco spine labels.

See Lafayette in the Age of the American Revolution, ed. Idzedra, 4:367–89

"My principal apprehension is on the score of provisions and transportation."  On 29 August 1781, Admiral de Grasse arrived in the Chesapeake and disembarked some 3,200 French troops to join Lafayette's command. "Lafayette was both honored and flattered to have the French troops under his orders. At the same time, the French presence intensified the familiar supply problem in Virginia ..." (Idzerda). As this letter makes clear, dealing with such administrative matters threatened to distract his attention form his principal objective of trapping Cornwallis.

"I have great reliance on the readiness of the Militia to join us on the present occasion. My principal apprehension is on the score of provisions and transportation. We will have a large army to feed, which will require all the vigor of government, and all the assistance of patriotic individuals.

"In your letter to the Militia of Hanover and New Kent, you will be pleased to mention, that, as it will better suit their convenience to join this army than the Glouster camp, they will repair to the former. Should any additional force become necessary for the Gloustre side, it will be easy to make a detachment. You will include Caroline if you please in this arrangement.

"I beg to know the moment when the 200 men at Gouchland, are equipped that I may send them my orders. Inclosed is an order of W. Claybourne to furnish what camp articles they may want.

"I suppose you will be able to clothe the Continental Regiment in a few days. I shall endeavour to keep it a little out of sight till this can be affected.

"The dispositions respecting the flour barrels shall be made."