From George Washington to Colonel Armand, 12 January 1781
To Colonel Armand
New Windsor Jany 12th 1781
Sir,
I have recd your favor of yesterday. On my part there is not the smallest objection to your accompanying Colo. Laurens to France, but the permission must come from Congress. The offer which you make of equipping your Corps with Cloathing & Accoutrements (the cost of wch to be repaid in three or 4 Years, and the interest annually) is generous; and among many other proofs of your Zeal & ability to serve the common cause—I am perswaded it will be received in a favourable light by Congress.1
At a time when the enemy are giving all the support they can to their Southern operations it would be improper, in me, to with-draw a Man from that quarter; but as you doubt the abilities of your Major, I shall have No objection, if it is consistent with the establishment of the Partizan Corps, to Lieutt Colo. Ternant (when exchanged) his being appointed to yours; as he is an Officer of acknowledged merit, & in actual pay. Major Lee has been promoted, but upon what principle or what arrangement (if any) Congress have been pleased to make with respect to field Officers for these Corps—is more than I am acquainted with2—With respect to the appointmts of your other Officers—the Mode of recruiting Men—& purchasing Horses—I can do No more than refer you to my former letter3—Strict regard however for the sake of justice—the tranquility of your Corps—and your own Peace—Must be had to the rights of the Officers who at present constitute your Corps—& to the characters of such as May be brought into it by new appointments.
I would be More full but a pressure of important matters puts it out of my power to be so at present—I thank you for your assurances of friendship & attachment. & am—with great esteem & regard—Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt
G. Washington
ADfS, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. On 23 Jan., Congress accepted Armand’s proposals and granted him a furlough for six months to travel to France (see , 19:75–76; see also Armand to GW, 11 Jan., and Samuel Huntington to GW, 27 Jan., and n.3 to that document).
2. On 6 Nov. 1780, Congress had promoted Henry Lee, Jr., to lieutenant colonel and authorized a major for his partisan corps, or legion (see , 18:1023–24). Congress had made no new arrangement for field officers in Armand’s legion, leaving it up to GW to appoint any new officers, subject to Congress’s approbation (see , 18:960; see also GW to the Board of War, this date).
3. See GW to Armand, 5 Nov. 1780.