To George Washington from Captain William Galvan, 13 March 1779
From Captain William Galvan
Philadelphia March 13th 1779.
Sir
I am this moment honoured with your Excellency’s letter of the 11th instant, and return my respectfull acknowledgments for the favour you have confered on me, by taking the trouble to bestow Some of your important hours on my manuscript. This honour, Sir, is So gratifying to my pride that no attempts Shall be made to procure to my work any further illustration.
I was far from contending with the respectable gentleman your Excellency mentions, on any other point but the priviledge of being usefull, and find my Self happy in the thought that, on a Subject which always ingrossed my most ardent Sollicitude, he has fully Satisfied your Excellency. heartily would I concurr in Spreading his principles, of which I entertain the highest opinion Since they have received your approbation.1 Should your army, which abounds with officers of the greatest merit, fall Short of one ready to devote himself to the instruction of the troops, my Services in that Capacity are humbly offered to the united states and to your Excellency. No other reward of three years Services could be more acceptable than Such an opportunity of Serving under your eyes, a circumstance which has ever been the object of my wishes, and in which are placed my hopes of securing your esteem.2 With the greatest respect I have the honour to be Sir your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant
Galvan
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. The subject of Galvan’s comments is Major General Steuben.
2. In a petition to Congress of 17 March, Galvan wrote that he “had the honour to lay before General Washington a letter to Congress, conveying a plan of instruction for the American Infantry requesting both to be transmitted thro’ his Excellency’s hands, but that another Scheme being already adopted, the General was pleased to return the manuscript—with very honourable marks of satisfaction” (DNA:PCC, item 41). The petition then continued with proposals for his appointment to military positions. After reading this memorial on 19 March and considering Galvan’s prayer “to be appointed colonel in the service of the United States, and to be permitted on terms proposed to raise an independent corps, or in case this cannot be obtained, to be appointed sub-inspector with the rank of lieutenant colonel,” Congress resolved to have “the President inform Mr. Galvan that Congress cannot comply with his request for leave to raise an independent corps” (, 13:337; see John Jay to Galvan, same date, DNA:PCC, item 14). Congress then referred to the Board of War Galvan’s request for appointment as inspector (see , 13:338). The board issued a report on 1 April recommending that Congress authorize South Carolina officials to appoint Galvan “Sub Inspector to the Battalion of Negroes proposed to be raised in the Southern States, if that event should take place” (, 13:417–18). Congress rejected this recommendation on 3 April with only one dissenting vote (see , 13:418).