To George Washington from William Washington, 19 October 1798
From William Washington
[19 October 1798]
Your letter of September the 27th I received, a few days ago by Major Simons. In conformity with your request I have enclosed a list which consists of such persons who I have reason to believe are desirous of obtaining commissions in the Army . . .1
I had indulged the pleasing hope that I had made a final retreat into the peaceful shades of retirement, but at this momentous crisis I shall not hesitate when I shall have my appointment officially announced (at present I know nothing of it, except what appears in the public prints,) to obey the summons of my country, especially when I know that the army is to be commanded by a chief for whom I have had the highest respect and veneration.
Please to make a tender of my best respects to Mrs. Washington. With the greatest respect and esteem, your very obedient servant.
L, printed in Parke-Bernet Galleries, Inc., 30–31 Oct. 1950, Cat. #1190, p. 281, item 1167; L, printed in Memoirs of the Long Island Historical Society (Brooklyn, N.Y., 1867–89), 4:xxii-xxiii. The first paragraph, which does not appear in the Memoirs, is taken from the Parke-Bernet catalog: the last two are taken from the Long Island Historical Society Memoirs. The catalog quotes the second paragraph only in part and omits the third.
1. See GW to William Washington, 27 September. The enclosed list has not been found.