From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 7 June 1781
Head Quarters New Windsor June 7th 1781
Sir
I have been honored with your Excellency’s favors of the 2nd & 3d Inst. I had upon the former complaints exhibited against Colonel Brodhead; and Mr Duncan the Dep. Qr Mastr Genl at Fort Pitt, directed the proper measures to be taken for calling them to an account, and as the Complainants in the present instance, are principally the same as in the first, they will have an opportunity of bringing and supporting their charges before the Courts which have been already ordered.
I have written to the Governors of Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Delaware, and have desired them to send the Militia required by the Resolution of the 31st May to Virginia or Maryland as circumstances may require—I must trouble Your Excellency to forward the enclosed to the Executives of those States.
Your Excellency’s Circular Letter of the 1st Inst. cannot, I think, but have a happy effect, unless the States are determined—for want of proper energy at the moment when they ought most to exert themselves, to lose those advantages which they have it in their power to secure at the proposed Negociation. A little success on our part will overballance any exorbitant terms or claims, which the partizans of Great Britain may attempt to impose or demand.
The intelligence from the West Indies which your Excellency’s has been pleased to communicate is both interesting and agreeable. Could our generous Allies but once obtain a compleat naval superiority, the happiest consequences would undoubtedly insue. I have the honor to be With perfect respect Your Excellency’s Most Obedt Humble Servt
Go: Washington
P.S. Inclosed is a Return of all the Recruits who have joined this Army from the 1st of January to the 1st of June amounting to 2574. A few have joined the York Regiments of Infantry, and perhaps about 60 the Jersey—Your Excellency will be pleased for the information of Congress to call upon the Board of War for the Monthly return of May in which the above are included—And by deducting from that Return the detachment under the Command of the Marquis de la Fayette—The two Regiments of New York and Hazens Regiment now upon the Northern Frontier you will be able to form a judgment of my efficient strength at this place and in Jersey.
Go: W——n
DNA: Item 152, Letters from George Washington, PCC—Papers of the Continental Congress.