George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Colonel Richard Butler, 1 May 1779

From Colonel Richard Butler

Philada May 1st 1779

Sir

When I left Camp I had no Idea that my little buisiness would have given me So much trouble else I would have requested more time of your Excellency to do it in, but, as there is A good field Officer with my Regt, I hope the Service will be at no loss & that your Excellency will Excuse my Stay untill I get it done which I hope will be in A few days—& I think it will be better to have my affairs Regulated now, than perhaps be Calld when my Duty requires my Attendance in Camp—these Considerations emboldens me to trouble your Excellency & flatter myself it will have weight with you as I have never had it in my power Since I have been in the Army before.1 I Am with evry Sentiment of Respect your Excellencys most Obedient & very Hbl. st

Richd Butler Col. 9th P. Regt

ALS, DLC:GW.

1. Butler’s “little buisiness” in Philadelphia included securing pay from Congress for his regiment (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 , 13:437–38). No reply from GW to this letter has been found.

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    Washington Papers
    Title
    To George Washington from Colonel Richard Butler, 1 May 1779
    Author
    Butler, Richard
    Recipient
    Washington, George
    Date
    1 May 1779

    Reference

    Cite as
    “To George Washington from Colonel Richard Butler, 1 May 1779,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-20-02-0251. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 20, 8 April–31 May 1779, ed. Edward G. Lengel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2010, pp. 276–277.]

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