George Washington Papers
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From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 1 October 1779

To Samuel Huntington

Head Quarters West Point Octor 1st 1779

Sir,

Major Noirmont De la Neuville who will have the honor of delivering this, has signified to me the necessity he is under from his private affairs of returning to France this Winter; and his desire to obtain from Congress a furlough for that purpose. The whole tenor of this Gentlemans conduct in the different capacities in which he has acted has been so meritorious as to give him a just title to the attention and favour of Congress. The certificates in his possession from the different officers with whom he has immediately served are ample testimonies of his zeal intelligence and bravery—He has sought every occasion of distinguishing himself which circumstances would permit; and that part of his conduct and character, which has come within my knowledge and observation has given me so favourable an impression of him, that I cannot but wish the situation of the service had afforded him more frequent opportunities of exercising those qualities of which he has given such handsome specimens—If Congress are pleased to comply with his request, and he should return to this country, his merit as modest as it is genuine will always secure him a cordial reception from me.1 I have the honor to be With perfect respect your Excellencys Most Obet, servant

Go: Washington

LS, in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, DNA:PCC, item 152; Df, DLC:GW; copy, DNA:PCC, item 169; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW signed the cover of the LS. Congress read this letter on 14 Oct. and referred it to the Board of War (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 15:1170).

1On this date at West Point, GW provided Maj. Noirmont de La Neuville with a certificate of service reading: “I certify that Major Noirmont De la Neuville has served with distinction in the army of The United States, since the beginning of 1778 to the present time in different stations. That in each of these he has given satisfaction & merited the esteem and commendations of the officers with whom he served, as the honorable certificates in his possession will testify—That he has upon all occasions manifested his zeal activity bravery and good conduct, and particularly signalized himself in the assault of Stoney point—I therefore recommend him as an officer of real merit and one who deserves the encouragement of his country” (Df, in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW).

On 18 Oct., Congress granted La Neuville leave and gave him a brevet promotion to lieutenant colonel (see 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 15:1184; 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 15:1201).

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