From George Washington to Captain John Finley, 4 June 1778
To Captain John Finley
Head Quarters Valley Forge 4th June 1778
Sir
You are to proceed in the most expeditious manner, with the party under your command, to Reading, where you will meet Capt. Hutchins of New Hampshire, with three Waggons under his charge. Upon delivering the inclosed to him,1 he will put the Waggons under your care, and you are to proceed immediately with them to York Town, and upon your arrival there, deliver the Contents of them to the Board of Treasury. You are to wait at York Town with your party untill Colo. Broadhead with the remainder of the 8th Regt joins you. I am, Sir Yr most obt Servt
P.S. If the Canteens which came from Boston in the Waggons were not left at Easton, they are to be delivd to the Qr Master at Reading.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
John Finley (1748–1837) was commissioned a first lieutenant in the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment in August 1776 and gained promotion to captain in October 1777. After January 1781 he transferred to the 5th and 2d Pennsylvania Regiments, and he left the army in June 1783.
1. GW enclosed his letter of this date to Capt. Nathaniel Hutchins: “You are to deliver the three Waggons with their Contents, which you brought from Boston, to Capt. Finley of the 8th Pennsylvania Regiment. You are then to march, as expeditiously as possible, with the party under your command to the Head Quarters of the Army” (DLC:GW). For the purpose of these orders, see William Heath to GW, 4 May, and GW to Heath, 20 May.