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Dorothea Graham Jensen
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A Buss from Lafayette
Teens
Author Insight
Hamilton's Missing Letter Backs up D'Estaing
A stolen letter from Hamiton to Lafayette was recently recovered. In it, he warns Lafayette that a large British fleet is on the way to Newport. So D'Estaing's departure to intercept this fleet was apparently justified, although General Sullivan certainly didn't see it this way! ************************************* To Marquis de Lafayette1 [Preakness, New Jersey, July 21, 1780]My Dear Marquis We have just received advice from New York through different channels that the enemy are making an embarkation with which they menace the French fleet and army. Fifty transports are said to have gone up the Sound to take in troops and proceed directly to Rhode Island. The General is absent and may not return before evening. Though this may be only a demonstration yet as it may be serious, I think it best to forward it without waiting the Generals return. We have different accounts from New York of an action in the West Indies in which the English lost several ships. I am inclined to credit them.2 I am My Dear Marquis with the truest affection Yr. Most Obedt A Hamilton Aide De Camp Hd. Qrs. July 21st 80
Book Excerpt
A Buss from Lafayette
Prissy said that although the French government had been sending us secret loans and supplies since 1776, the first overt aid they sent over was a fleet of warships in July, 1778. This French fleet was ordered to blockade Rhode Island to help the American commander, General Sullivan, dislodge the British there. D’Estaing, the French admiral, may have been rather offended at this, because no one had consulted with him beforehand about the planned venture.
“Therefore, after initially assisting the Continentals in their attack,” our stepmother said, sounding more and more like a schoolmarm, “D’Estaing and his fleet sailed away towards New York. He did seek to engage a British naval squadron after he left, but his departure left the American forces in Rhode Island to face the enemy without French support.”
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