To George Washington from Beesly Edgar Joel, 21 July 1780
From Beesly Edgar Joel
Philadelphia Barracks July 21st 1780
Permit me to remind your Excellency, of my disagreable situation, which amidst your extensive and important employments I do not wonder has been forgot. From the Board of War to whom I have made several applications, I cannot expect an answer untill they receive directions from your Excellency.1 You have allready been inform’d of some of the extraordinary reasons which induc’d me to abandon the British service.2 had I been allowed an opportunity I could have given such as would have enduced your Excely to applaud my conduct in so critical an Affair. I neither request emolument, or reward, my only desire for the advantages I have quitted, is to be allow’d to serve as a Vollentier under the eye of your Excely. In which post I shall soon have an opportunity of acquireing your good opinion, revenging my own injuries, and becoming master of the profession for which I am form’d. Of which while your Enemy (and unbias’t by interested views) I look’t up to your Excellency as the Head. that by your Exy good report I may soon be reliev’d from this restrain’t so hurtfull to my feelings, & so ignomious to one who has forfeited every advantage, from his aversion to oppression & injustice.3 Is the sincere wish of your Exy most obedient
B. Edgar Joel late Capt. British army
ALS, DLC:GW.
Joel wrote GW again on 8 Aug. from the “Barracks” at Philadelphia: “Was I applying for favors of a lucrative nature, I should wait with patience your Excellencys determination; during the six years I serv’d in the British Army, I have the pleasing satisfaction to think I never solicited a favor, or advantage; even at this time nothing but the earnest desire I have of serving under your Excellency, and a full knowledge of your goodness; could enduce me to become a solicitor. The time of action now approaches, nothing could console me for the mortification of being obliged to be an idle spectator, instead of an active, individual in your Excellencys operations. Let me once more intreat your Exy to favor me with any B[r]evet rank you shall think proper, to secure me from insult should I unfortunately fall into their hands, and allow me as a vollentier, to serve the ensuing campaign with Major Lee, or any other partizan. Your Excellency shall find this honor will not be bestow’d on the undeserving or forgetfull” (ALS, DLC:GW).
On 14 Aug., GW replied to Joel from his headquarters at Orangetown, N.Y.: “I am to acknowledge the receipt of your two Letters of the 21st Ulto and the 8th Instant to the subject of which I have not been able to attend untill the present hour.
“Whatever favourable opinion I might entertain of your military abilities & knowledge in your profession or however I might be disposed to foster & cherrish Genius & Merit wherever they are discovered; circumstanced as you are; I should not think myself warranted to give you an employment in the Army under my Command.
“Altho I do not conceive it expedient, from a variety of considerations which must occur to every one, for you to engage in the Service of the United States; Yet I have given Directions to the Board of War for your immediate liberation from the restraint of which you complain” (Df, in David Humphreys’s writing, DLC:GW; copy, DLC:GW; two Varick transcripts, DLC:GW). GW wrote the Board of War on the same date.
1. Joel’s letters to the Board of War have not been identified.
2. See Robert Howe to GW, 11 June, and n.2.
3. GW had requested that Joel be confined (see GW to the Board of War, 14 June).