George Washington Papers
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From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 July 1780

To Samuel Huntington

Head Quarters Passaick Falls [N.J.] July 15th 1780

Sir

I have the honor to transmit your Excellency, in Two packets, the proceedings of the Court Martial in the case of Doctr Shippen, Director General of the Hospitals, for the approbation or disapprobation of Congress.1 The trial having taken place in consequence of their order,2 this circumstance and the Doctor’s station in the Army have induced me to think it most proper to refer the matter to their decision. I would beg leave to observe however, that the Medical department is in much disorder already, and that it is of great importance that the affair should be brought to a conclusion in whatever way Congress, may think proper, as soon as possible.3 I have the honor to be With the greatest respect Your Excellency’s Most Obedient humble servant

Go: Washington

LS, in Caleb Gibbs’s writing, DNA:PCC, item 152; Df, DLC:GW; copy, DNA:PCC, item 169; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW signed the cover of the LS. Congress read this letter on 18 July (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 , 17:638).

1. These court-martial proceedings have not been identified. For the background of the trial of William Shippen, Jr., see General Orders, 13 March, n.1.

2. See John Jay to GW, 30 June 1779.

3. The court-martial recommended Shippen’s acquittal, but Congress, after debate, merely ordered his release from arrest on 18 Aug. (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 , 17:744–46).

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    Washington Papers
    Title
    From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 July 1780
    Author
    Washington, George
    Recipient
    Huntington, Samuel
    Date
    15 July 1780

    Reference

    Cite as
    “From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 15 July 1780,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-27-02-0105. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 27, 5 July–27 August 1780, ed. Benjamin L. Huggins. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2019, pp. 132–133.]

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