![WASHINGTON, George. Autograph letter signed as Commander-in-Chief, ("G:o Washington") and with initialed postscript ("G:W"), to General Alexander McDougall, New Windsor, [N.Y.] 31 March 1781. 1p., folio, WITH AUTOGRAPH ADDRESS PANEL SIGNED ("G:O WASHINGTON").](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2004/NYR/2004_NYR_01450_0463_000(094819).jpg?w=1)
THE PROPERTY OF A LADY
WASHINGTON, George. Autograph letter signed as Commander-in-Chief, ("G:o Washington") and with initialed postscript ("G:W"), to General Alexander McDougall, New Windsor, [N.Y.] 31 March 1781. 1p., folio, WITH AUTOGRAPH ADDRESS PANEL SIGNED ("G:O WASHINGTON").
Details
WASHINGTON, George. Autograph letter signed as Commander-in-Chief, ("G:o Washington") and with initialed postscript ("G:W"), to General Alexander McDougall, New Windsor, [N.Y.] 31 March 1781. 1p., folio, WITH AUTOGRAPH ADDRESS PANEL SIGNED ("G:O WASHINGTON").
"THE EXPEDITION AGAINST ARNOLD HAS FAILED...BUT THE OBJECT BEING GREAT, THE RISK WAS WARRANTABLE"
Writing to Arnold's succesor at West Point, Alexander McDougall (1732-1786), Washington voices his deep displeasure that "The Expedition against Arnold has failed--after the favourable moment (occasioned by the disability of part of the British Ships in Gardner's bay) was suffered to pass away, I never was sanguine in it--but the object being great, the risk was warrantable. The attempt of the Chevalier Des Touches at the time he sailed was bold & enterprising--for this and political reasons, and because I know it will be grateful to the French Genl. & Admiral, I take the liberty of hinting to you the propriety (if it is not already done) of Congress paying them a compliment on the occasion. It may have a happy effect which is the only apology I can offer for the freedom of suggesting it. I am Dr Sir with great esteem & regard, Yr most Obedt. Servt. G:o Washington. P.S. I have recd. your letter promising to correspond under the signature of Marcus & shall be happy in the fruits of it. G:W."
General Arnold, in his first command against his former comrades, carried off a daring and destructive raid on Washington's native soil over the course of December 1780 and January 1781. He moved up Virginia's James River, burning farms and supplies, trying to rally loyalists to his side. He pressed his attack against Richmond, putting several buildings to the torch. Easily evading the hapless militias that Governor Thomas Jefferson sent against him, Arnold brazenly made camp at Westover. Washington turned to Lafayette, ordering him to lead an expedition against the traitor. The plan was for Lafayette to move south with 1200 troops drawn from New England and New Jersey, and link up with Admiral Destouches's naval forces sailing from Newport. The key was for Destouches to get a jump past British Admiral Arbuthnot's ships, which were bottled up by bad weather in Gardner's Bay, Long Island. But Destouches was too slow, and Arbuthnot caught up with him at the mouth of the Chesapeake on 16 March. After inflicting some damage, the French force broke off the fight, leaving the Bay open for the British to reinforce Arnold, who moved to a better defensive position, where neither Destouches' frigates or Lafayette's infantry were able to menace him.
Washington spins the failure--"the object being great, the risk was warrantable"--and hopes a Congressional vote of thanks to Admiral and General will smooth any Franco-American ill-feeling. But the inability to nab Arnold in Virginia was a bitter disappointment, one of many Washington endured in this trying, penultimate chapter of the war. Mutinies were breaking out in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Food and money was scarce to nonexistent in many regiments. And with Arnold's betrayal fresh in his mind, the Commander-in-Chief was starting to have doubts about even his closest subordinates in his New York headquarters. But it would be the British commanders who cracked and broke first. Bitter jealousies and resentments between Cornwallis, Clinton and Germain would lead to the generals fatally dividing their forces and failing to marshal enough support against the growing French and American presence in the Chesapeake. Six months after this letter, Washington would have his world-turning victory against Cornwallis at Yorktown. Arnold--now just an infamous footnote--would end the war on the losing side.
"THE EXPEDITION AGAINST ARNOLD HAS FAILED...BUT THE OBJECT BEING GREAT, THE RISK WAS WARRANTABLE"
Writing to Arnold's succesor at West Point, Alexander McDougall (1732-1786), Washington voices his deep displeasure that "The Expedition against Arnold has failed--after the favourable moment (occasioned by the disability of part of the British Ships in Gardner's bay) was suffered to pass away, I never was sanguine in it--but the object being great, the risk was warrantable. The attempt of the Chevalier Des Touches at the time he sailed was bold & enterprising--for this and political reasons, and because I know it will be grateful to the French Genl. & Admiral, I take the liberty of hinting to you the propriety (if it is not already done) of Congress paying them a compliment on the occasion. It may have a happy effect which is the only apology I can offer for the freedom of suggesting it. I am Dr Sir with great esteem & regard, Yr most Obedt. Servt. G:o Washington. P.S. I have recd. your letter promising to correspond under the signature of Marcus & shall be happy in the fruits of it. G:W."
General Arnold, in his first command against his former comrades, carried off a daring and destructive raid on Washington's native soil over the course of December 1780 and January 1781. He moved up Virginia's James River, burning farms and supplies, trying to rally loyalists to his side. He pressed his attack against Richmond, putting several buildings to the torch. Easily evading the hapless militias that Governor Thomas Jefferson sent against him, Arnold brazenly made camp at Westover. Washington turned to Lafayette, ordering him to lead an expedition against the traitor. The plan was for Lafayette to move south with 1200 troops drawn from New England and New Jersey, and link up with Admiral Destouches's naval forces sailing from Newport. The key was for Destouches to get a jump past British Admiral Arbuthnot's ships, which were bottled up by bad weather in Gardner's Bay, Long Island. But Destouches was too slow, and Arbuthnot caught up with him at the mouth of the Chesapeake on 16 March. After inflicting some damage, the French force broke off the fight, leaving the Bay open for the British to reinforce Arnold, who moved to a better defensive position, where neither Destouches' frigates or Lafayette's infantry were able to menace him.
Washington spins the failure--"the object being great, the risk was warrantable"--and hopes a Congressional vote of thanks to Admiral and General will smooth any Franco-American ill-feeling. But the inability to nab Arnold in Virginia was a bitter disappointment, one of many Washington endured in this trying, penultimate chapter of the war. Mutinies were breaking out in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Food and money was scarce to nonexistent in many regiments. And with Arnold's betrayal fresh in his mind, the Commander-in-Chief was starting to have doubts about even his closest subordinates in his New York headquarters. But it would be the British commanders who cracked and broke first. Bitter jealousies and resentments between Cornwallis, Clinton and Germain would lead to the generals fatally dividing their forces and failing to marshal enough support against the growing French and American presence in the Chesapeake. Six months after this letter, Washington would have his world-turning victory against Cornwallis at Yorktown. Arnold--now just an infamous footnote--would end the war on the losing side.
Sale room notice
The letter has slight fold separations, without loss; the address leaf is missing a piece where it was opened, without loss of text.