George Washington Papers
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From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 4 January 1778

To Henry Laurens

Valley Forge Jany 4th 1778.

Sir,

Unwilling as I am to add any thing to the multiplicity of matter1 that necessarily engages the attention of Congress, I am compelled by unavoidable necessity to pass my answer to Genl Gates through their hands.

What could induce Genl Gates to communicate a copy of his Letter to me, to that Honble Body, is beyond the depth of my comprehension upon any fair ground; but the fact being so, must stand as an apology for a liberty, which no other consideration would have induced me to take, to give you this trouble—With the greatest respect. I am Sir Yr Most Obedt Hbe Ser.

Go: Washington

ALS, DNA:PCC, item 152; ADfS, DLC:GW; copy, DNA:PCC, item 169; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW addressed and signed the cover of the ALS. 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 indicates that Congress read a letter “of the 4th” from GW on 13 Jan.; the words “a letter of the 4th January, with a copy of a letter to General Gates” were struck out (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 , 10:44). The docket to this letter notes that it was “referred to the board of war,” although in 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 only GW’s letter of 5 Jan. is recorded as being so referred.

1. GW crossed out this word on the draft and wrote “business” above it.

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    Washington Papers
    Title
    From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 4 January 1778
    Author
    Washington, George
    Recipient
    Laurens, Henry
    Date
    4 January 1778

    Reference

    Cite as
    “From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 4 January 1778,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-13-02-0114. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 13, 26 December 1777 – 28 February 1778, ed. Edward G. Lengel. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2003, pp. 140–141.]

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