George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-16-02-0018

From George Washington to Major General Lafayette, 3 July 1778

To Major General Lafayette

Head Quarters Brunswick [N.J.] July 3d 1778

Dear Marquis,

I have received your letter on the subject of the corps raising by Col: Armand.1

You are sensible that it rests solely with Congress to determine the existence of a new corps and decide in an affair of this nature, If they should think proper to give their sanction to Col. Armand in the business he is engaged in, and in which by your representation he has made so considerable a progress, I assure you, it will be intirely agreeable to me, not only because I should be glad to see Col. Armand himself provided for; but because the corps he is raising may furnish means of employment to a number of the foreign officers who are hitherto unemployed. I am My Dear Marquis Yr Most Obedt serv.

Df, in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1Lafayette had written GW on 2 July: “I have Receiv’d one other letter from Clel Armand where he Aquaints me of his arrival at Congress, and where he says that his Corps amounts alréady to about two hundred men provided it may be accepted by Congress and the expense of raising it approuv’d by them—the Clel adds that a letter from you on the subject will much advance the expedition of his affair, as the gentlemen in Congress will certainly know if the matter is agreable to your excellency—for my part besides the esteem I have for that gentleman’s Caracter, and affection I entertain for his person, I believe the Corps may prouve very useful to the Service first by its own exertions and merit, Secondly by giving Room to many stranger officers who Can not be employ’d in the line of the Several States” (PEL).

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