George Washington Papers

To George Washington from John Jay, 15 May 1779

From John Jay

Philadelphia 15th May—1779

Sir,

Major General Lincoln’s ill state of health has induced Congress to permit him to retire from a Climate unfriendly to it’s Recovery—Your Excellency will perceive by the enclosed Copy of an Act of the 13th Inst., that Brigadier General Moultrie is to take the Command in his absence under certain Restrictions.1

I also transmit a copy of a Letter from Governor Johnson to Coll Hollingsworth2—And am With the greatest Respect & Esteem Your Excellency’s Most Obedient Servant

John Jay Presid.

LS, DLC:GW; LB, DNA:PCC, item 14.

1The enclosed copy of a resolution of 13 May appointing Brig. Gen. William Moultrie to command the southern army in place of Maj. Gen. Benjamin Lincoln is in DLC:GW; see also JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 14:586. Lincoln, who had just returned from an abortive advance on British-held Augusta, Ga. (see GW to John Jay, 26 May, n.1), remained in Charleston at the request of Moultrie and the government of South Carolina, and continued to provide GW with regular intelligence of events in that quarter; see his letter to GW of 7 July (MHi: Lincoln Papers).

2For this enclosure, see Richard Parker to GW, 13 May, n.1.

Index Entries