RIS.

Chatham, August 27th, 1781.

Dear Sir,

Accounts brought by several vessels to Philadelphia, and to the
eastward, leave little doubt but that the Count de Grasse must have
already arrived in the Chesapeake, or that he must be very soon there.
The Count de Rochambeau and myself have therefore determined, that no
time ought to be lost in making preparations for our transportation
from Trenton to Christiana, and from the head of the Elk down the
Chesapeake. I have written by this opportunity to Colonel Miles, and
have directed him immediately to engage all the proper kind of craft
for the navigation of the Delaware, which can be found in
Philadelphia, or in the creeks above and below it; and as your advice
may be useful to him, more especially as far as respects procuring the
vessels at a distance from Philadelphia, I have desired him to wait
upon you for that purpose.

I shall also be obliged to you for using your influence with the
gentlemen of Baltimore to permit any vessels, which may be in that
port to come up to the Elk to assist us in transportation. I have
little doubt, from the cheerfulness with which they furnished the
Marquis de Lafayette last winter, that they will comply with your
requisition on the present occasion. But lest there should be a
necessity for the interference of the Executive of the State, I have
written to Governor Lee, upon that and other matters. I enclose the
letter under flying seal for your information, and you will be good
enough to forward it by a chain of expresses, which is established.
Any vessels, which may be procured in the Chesapeake, should
rendezvous as soon as possible in Elk river.

You will be pleased to make the deposit of flour, rum, and salt meat,
at the head of the Elk, which I requested in a former letter.

I am very fearful, that about fifteen hundred barrels of salt
provisions, and thirty hogsheads of rum, which I directed to be sent
from Connecticut and Rhode Island, under convoy of the Count de
Barras, would not have been ready when the fleet sailed from Newport.
Should that have been the case, the disappointment will be great. I
would wish you to see whether a like quantity of those articles can be
procured in Philadelphia, or in Maryland, if we should find that they
have not gone round from the eastward.

I must entreat you if possible to procure one month's pay in specie
for the detachment, which I have u