From George Washington to Major Henry Lee, Jr., 26 July 1779
To Major Henry Lee, Jr.
Hd Qrs Wt Pt July 26th 1779
Dr Sr
Your favor by Capt. Rudulph I received yesterday1—He has my directions respecting Cloathing for your Officers.
As you think the two serjts named in your list officers worthy of promotion, I approve the appointments—the remove of your Qr Mr into McLanes company I also consent to—but, the appointment of an extra capt. in the Corps & 3 subs under McLane I cannot conceive necessary, the former you observe is allowed by Congress—It may be the case but I do not remember to have seen such a resolve.2
Such men of Capt. McLanes Compy as have deserted for the reasons you mention & may with safety be brought back to it—I shall grant pardons to, & wish the Captain to take immediate steps to recover them.
You express a wish that the Corps should be considered as part of the quota of some particular state—It is a desireable circumstance but the effecting it does not rest with me.
I have granted a Warrant for the 1000 Dolls. promised the negro pilote & included the 230 expended by you for secret services.3 I am Dr Sr Yrs &c.
G.W.
P.s. I am exceedingly anxious to know with certainty whether an embarkation has taken place or not.4
Df, in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. This letter from Lee to GW has not been found.
2. For the transfer of Capt. Allen McLane’s company from the Delaware Regiment to Lee’s Partisan Corps, see GW to Lee, 30 June, and n.3 to that document; see also GW to Lee, 9 June, and n.2 to that document.
GW’s warrant book for 24 July records a payment of $1,752.60 to “Capt. Allen McLane for his company” (Revolutionary War Warrant Book 4, 1779–1780, DLC: GW, Ser. 5). Capt. Allen McLane wrote in his journal entry for 23 July that he left his post near Stony Point, N.Y., on that date “for head Quarters” (NHi: McLane Papers). His journal entry for 24 July reads: “drew pay till July for my Company” (NHi: McLane Papers). McLane’s journal entries for 26 and 27 July indicate that he paid his company, which had been divided into two parties, during these days (NHi: McLane Papers).
3. GW’s warrant book under 27 July indicated that $1,230 was supplied to Capt. John Rudulph “for Major Lee for Secret services” (Revolutionary War Warrant Book 4, 1779–1780, DLC:GW, Ser. 5).
4. GW is referring to an intelligence report from Lee, which proved false (see Lee to GW, 22 July; GW to Lee, 25 July; and GW to Stirling, 24 and 28 July).