Washington, George, as Commander-in-Chief, Continental Army

Letter signed ("G: Washington"), text in the hand of David Humphreys, 1 page (13 1/2 x 8 3/8 in.; 344 x 212 mm), New Windsor [New York], 2 January 1781, to Thomas Jefferson in Richmond, Virginia, also signed on integral address leaf; silked, formerly folded, a few fold-tears, lightly browned, traces of seal, tiny mend to lower outer corner of first page and to edges of fold tears without loss. Black quarter-morocco cream cloth slipcase.

Phillips New York, 27 January 1983, lot 142 (unnamed consignor)

Writings of George Washington, ed. Fitzpatrick, 21:51-52; see D. L. Russell, The American Revolution in the Southern Colonies (2000), p. 217

Washington reports to Governor Jefferson on the departure of the British expedition under Benedict Arnold.

A fine wartime letter from the Commander-in-chief in winter camp on the Hudson River, passing on vital intelligence to Thomas Jefferson. From his network of spies in New York and Long Island, Washington had received news of the sailing of the British expeditionary force, reportedly heading south, under the command of Benedict Arnold: "Since I had last the honor of addressing Your Excellency, the Embarkation which had been some time preparing, and which had undergone several changes; has sailed from New York. — The Fleet, including the Convoys consisted of thirty two Sail, and left the [Sandy] Hook the 22nd Ult[im]o.

"By the best information I have been able to obtain, the Light Infantry & Grenadiers, with some other Troops, which were at first under embarking orders, were afterwards countermanded; and the Detachment finally amounted to about 1600 men, of which Simcoe's is the only entire Corps, that we know with certainty has embarked, — the remainder is said to be principally composed of Drafts from the Line — the whole under the command of Arnold, and still conjectured to be destined Southward."

Arnold's force reached Hampton Roads on 4 January and sailed up the James River. This was Arnold's first command after his defection from the Continental Army, and was aimed at interrupting the flow of supplies from Greene's army in the Carolinas. Instead of stopping at Portsmouth as expected, he landed at Westover marching directly to Richmond, and promptly took the town the next day. The locals had prepared by removing their treasured property, and Jefferson boasted that the British "were most visibly disappointed in finding we had removed almost everything out of their reach, which had been effected in 19 hours."