WASHINGTON, George (1732-1799). Letter signed ("Go:Washington") to Commodore John Hazelwood, Skippack Camp, 11 October 1777.

One page, 377 x 229mm, with integral transmittal leaf bearing his franking signature ("Go: Washington"), both body of letter and address panel in the hand of Richard Kidder MEADE (1745-1805) (some pale browning, folds worn with some tiny holes, a larger interlineal hole at middle fold, seal hole to transmittal leaf, transmittal leaf ink faded).

After his defeat at Germantown, Washington makes an attempt to reinforce the remaining American forts on the Delaware and Schuylkill. A fine war letter to an American naval hero, written a few days after the Continental Army's repulse in the Battle of Germantown (4 October 1777), and weeks before General Washington ordered his troops to Valley Forge for the winter. Here Washington belatedly attempts to strengthen the American hold on the important Delaware and Schuylkill River forts, which threatened the British Army's possession of the American capital. "Colo. Smith informs that the Enemy have been raising Batteries near the Landing Place at Webbs Ferry, with an intent to cover their passage over to the province Island. If the Battery is erected upon the Meadows or upon the wharf it may be much injured or the approach to it from the City rendered very difficult by cutting the Meadow Banks in five or six places from the mouth of Schuylkill up to the mouth of Hollander's Creek and laying the whole Country under Water. If the dyke that dams out Hollanders Creek was likewise out it would contribute much to raise the Water. This should be done in the night, and when it is once effected the Galleis [sic] might keep any persons from repairing the Breaches. I beg this may be done as speedily as possible and with secrecy. As the security of the Fleet and the obstructions depends upon keeping possession of Fort Mifflin and Red Bank[.] I hope you will cooperate with the Gentlemen in the land Service and endeavour to make use of every means to effect so salutary a measure. P.S. Was any thing ever done towards destroying the Hay upon the Meadows below Philad[elphia]. I think I recommended it to you by Colo. Smith when he went down."

Once Howe captured Philadelphia, he needed to clear the Delaware River of American troops at Fort Mifflin, Fort Mercer and Mud Island. In order to do this, he moved troops from Germantown to Province Island and besieged Fort Mifflin on 10 October 1777. Commodore Hazelwood was commander of all Pennsylvania fleets and, consequently, he, not Washington, was in charge of defending the river. Hazelwood was promoted to Commodore in early 1777 and was made commander of all Pennsylvania fleets 6 September 1777; he was also commended by Congress for his bravery when he refused to surrender to General Howe after Howe captured Philadelphia.

Hazelwood responded to Washington's letter the following day aboard the U.S.S. Montgomery, informing the general that " to comply with your desire at present is impossible, as the Enimy have one Battery at the Mouth of Schuylkill and another at or near Hollenders Creek, and large parties of Men station’d in different parts above and below Webbs Ferry. Also one redoubt opposite to Fort Mifflin, which was attack’d this Morning by landing a number of Men, and the Galleys covering them and firing on the redoubt, but the Enimy appear’d so much superior in number to us that our people were oblig’d to return after having two Men killed and five Wounded." To make matters worse, of the four galleys he had at his disposal, so many sailors had deserted, he could only "Man One, and if I should land a number of those on board the other Galleys I can have no dependence on their return. Your Excellency may depend I will do every thing in my power to distress and annoy the Enimy, and join most heartily in any measures with the Gentlemen of the Land Army and give them every assistance in my power…." (Washington, Papers, Revolutionary War Series, 11:493) Still, Hazelwood valiantly defended the Schuylkill River, managing to destroy two British men-of-war and driving four others away on 22 October 1777, Congress presented him with a sword. Published in Washington, Papers, Revolutionary War Series, 11:485. Provenance: Christie's, New York, 9 December 1994, lot 173.