From George Washington to John Jay, 24 February 1779
To John Jay
Head Quarters Middle Brook 24th February 1779
Sir
I transmit you herewith two letters the applications of General Glover and Colo. Wigglesworth for the acceptance of their respective resignations. Colonel Wigglesworth is particularly desirous to obtain a speedy answer that he may have it in his power to make some arrangements before his proposed departure for France. Congress will also be pleased to attend to General Glovers request for his Commission as Brigadier.1
The State of Maryland having remitted to General Smallwood £4000 in Bills of the two emissions which Congress have called out of circulation, to repay a loan to the military Chest employed as a State Bounty to its troops—I would wish to know the will of Congress as to the propriety of receiving them in payment.2 I have the Honor to be with the greatest Respect Yr Excellency’s most obt Servt
Go: Washington
LS, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DNA:PCC, item 152; Df, DLC:GW; copy, DNA:PCC, item 169; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. Congress read this letter on 27 Feb. (, 13:259).
1. GW enclosed John Glover’s letter to him of 28 Jan., and Edward Wigglesworth’s letters to him of 4 Jan. and 11 February. For Congress’s actions on these resignation requests, see John Jay to GW, 2 March (second letter) and 12 March; GW to Glover, 11 March; and GW to Wigglesworth, 11 and 19 March (see also , 13:259, 302).
2. Congress resolved on 27 Feb.: “Whereas the State of Maryland have granted to the officers of their troops a gratuity to enable them to equip themselves for the field the ensuing campaign; and whereas a considerable quantity of the money so granted is of the emissions of May 20, 1777, and April 11, 1778:... That the Board of Treasury be empowered to exchange a sum not exceeding 40,000 dollars of the money now in the hands of Brigadier General Smallwood, advanced by the State of Maryland to their commissioned officers” (, 13:259).