Thomas Jefferson Papers

From Thomas Jefferson to George Muter, 2 March 1781

To George Muter

In Council March 2nd. 1781

Sir

The Board has considered your request that they should make an Enquiry into your Conduct as Commissioner of the War Office. No Complaint having been lodged with them on the Subject, No Prosecutor offering himself, no Witnesses pointed out, nor even Charges specifyed, they do not know that they can with either propriety or practicability enter on such an enquiry; the more especially as they know no instances themselves in which you may be justly charged with Inattention to the Duties of your Office.

We found on enquiry that the Battery Carriages now on Hand have been from the Beginning directed by a Continental Officer, we wished therefore not to interrupt them; but rather as more are wanting and without Delay to avail ourselves of Captain Roane’s Assistance by ordering a separate Set of Hands to go to work immediately under his Direction: by which means we may hope to have mounted in time the full number of Cannon wanted. I am, &c.,

T. J.

FC (Vi). Tr in War Office Letter Book (Vi).

There is no evidence that TJ and the Council took any part in pressing Steuben’s charges against Muter which led to Muter’s dismissal. On 3 Mch. Muter wrote to John Walker who had been attached to Steuben’s staff as special consultant and aide (TJ to John Walker, 18 Jan. 1781); Muter’s letter to Walker and his reply were enclosed in Muter’s letter to TJ of 12 Mch., q.v.

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