Head Quarters, Chatham, August 27, 1781.

    Sir: Official Accounts which I have received, giving me reason to expect the Arrival of a powerful Fleet of our Allies very soon in Chesapeak, if not already Arrived; this Expectation, together with some other Circumstances not necessary at present to detail to you, have induced me to make a total Alteration in the concerted measures of this Campaign. In consequence, I am now marchg. a very considerable Detachment from the American Army, with the whole of the French Troops, immediately to Virginia. As our Hopes of Success against Ld Cornwallis in a great Measure depend on the Dispatch and Celerity of our Movements, I have to request in the most earnest Manner all the Aid and Assistance from your Excellency that we may have Occasion for and have Reason to expect from your State; among these, the Means of Transportation from the Head of Elk, to the Point of our operations, will be among the most Essential; all the Water Craft, that can be procured suitable for the Carriage of an Army, with their Artillery, Baggage, Stores &c. will be needed, and should be ready at the Head of Elk by the 8th. of Septr. A quantity of Forage will also be necessary for the Cattle which will unavoidably attend the Army. As I shall probably be disappointed of a Quantity of salted Provisions, which cannot with safety be transported from the Eastern States, I must beg your Excellency to pay particular Attention to that Article, if any is to be obtained within your State. Other Aids as well in Provisions as other Articles, will probably be needed, which cannot at this moment be particularly specified. I communicate My Intentions to you, and have Confidence, that I shall receive every Aid and Assistance that is in your Power, towards their Execution. I expect to have no Occasion to call on you for the Aid of Men, further than your State Troops which are ordered to be raised, and which I hope you have already compleated.

    Mr Robert Morriss will have the principal Agency in procuring the Water Transportation mentioned in this Letter; perhaps nothing more will be expected from your Excellency in that Article, than to afford Mr. Morriss every Aid of Government which he may stand in need of in the Procurement of the Craft, which I am persuaded you will do with the utmost Readiness and Decision. The Moment is critical, the Opportunity is precious, the Prospects most happily favorable. I hope that no Supineness, or Want of Exertions on our part may prove the Means of our Disappointment. I am &c.

    P.S. Our Forage will be principally wanted at the Head of Elk, and from thence on the Route to George Town. ⁸⁵

[Note:The draft is in the writing of Jonathan Trumbull, jr. ]