Washington, George (1732-1799) to Henry Knox
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02437.09367 Author/Creator: Washington, George (1732-1799) Place Written: Rocky Hill, New Jersey Type: Manuscript letter Date: 16 October 1783 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; 23 x 19 cm. Order a Copy
States that while some men do not have proper winter clothing, Congress does not want to lose manpower, so they should remain in camp. Instead hopes to get as much use out of men whose enlistments expire soon, and then send them home. Also encloses resolves from Congress that he asks Knox to publish for the army. Washington's signature clipped.
Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
[draft]
Rocky hill Octr.16th. 1783
Dear Sir,
Since I had the pleasure to write to you on the 8th Instant, I have received your Letter of that date.
I am clearly of opinion that the services of those Men whose times expire so early in the spring, are not adequate to their clothing and Maintenance during the Winter, but, as I said in my last letter, such seems the disposition of the Members of Congress with whom I have conversed on the subject, that they are not willing to part with any of the Troops whilst the British remain in New York - all therefore that [text loss] at present is what you [text loss], of getting what service we [2] can from some of those whose times first expire and then discharging them; whilst this is doing Congress may possibly come to some determination on the matter
I now inclose you sundry resolves of Congress, which you will please to have published to the Army, tho some of these have been passed some time, it was but within a very few days that I was officially acquainted with them
I am
Dr. Sir
Your most Obed. servn.
[signature purloined]
[docket]
from his Excellency General Washington
16 October 1783
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