Head Quarters, New Windsor, May 5, 1781.
My Dear Marquis: I have received, with exceeding great satisfaction and pleasure your favor of the 18th of April, and am extremely rejoiced to learn, that the spirit of discontent had so intirely subsided and that the practice of desertion would probably be totally stopped, among the Troops under your Command.
The Measure you had taken to obtain, on your own Credit a supply of cloathing and necessities for the Detachment, 56 must entitle you to all their gratitude and affection; and will, at the same time that it endears your Name (if possible still more) to this Country; be an everlasting Monument of your Ardent zeal and attachment to its cause and the establishment of its Independence. For my own part, My Dear Marquis, altho I stood in need of no new proofs of your exertions and sacrifices in the Cause of America; I will confess to you, I shall not be able to express the pleasing sensations I have experienced
[Note:"On My Arrival on this Side of the Susquehana, I Made an order for the troops wherein I Endeavoured to throw a kind of infamy upon desertion, and to improve every particular Affection of theirs, Since that, desertion Has Been bettered…the Merchants of Baltimore lend me a Sum of about 2000 pounds which will procure Some Shirts, linnen over alls Shoes, and a few Hatts. the ladies will make up the Shirts and the over alls will Be made By the detachment So that our Soldiers Have a chance of Being a little more Comfortable, the Monney is lent upon My Credit, and I Become a Security for the payment in two Year's time, when By the french laws I may Better dispose of My Estate. But Before that time, I am to use my influence with the french Court, in order to Have as Soon as possible this Sum of Monney Added to Any loan Congress will Have Been able to obtain from them." -- Lafayette to Washington . Apr. 18, 1781. Lafayette's letter is in the Washington Papers . ]
I was troubled to be informed of the loss of your Baggage, but am happy to find that your private and interesting Papers were not with it: Should the Map of the Harbour of New York with remarks made on it by the Pilots, not have been lost, I could wish you would be so obliging as to forward it, [or a copy] to me by some safe conveyance, as it may be eventually advantageous to have it here.
Colonel Tupper (who goes to releive Col Vose) will have the honor to deliver this Letter to you. With every sentiment of affection etc. 57
[Note:The draft is in the writing of David Humphreys. The words in brackets are in the writing of Washington. ]