From George Washington to the Board of Treasury, 1 April 1780
To the Board of Treasury
Head Qrs Morris Town April 1st 1780
Gentn
From the desire and endeavours of many of the soldiery to leave the service where ever they can under the pretext of their having been only temporarily engaged and that their inlistments have expired—and the difficulty of ascertaining the point in most instances on account of their inlistments being lost, or of the resignations or deaths of the Officers who inlisted them, which are the cases—it is found, in which they generally prefer their claims to be discharged—I would take the liberty to request that the Honourable Board would transmit me the Muster Rolls for May June & July 1777, as it is by these only that the matter can be determined so as to do justice to the Men & the public. When these claims shall appear to be pretty well adjusted—the Rolls shall be returned.1 I have the Honor to be with great respect Gentn Yr Most Obedt st
G. Washington
Df, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. The Board of Treasury’s reply to GW came from its president, John Gibson, on 19 April: “In Compliance with your Excellencys Application by your Letter of the 1st of this Month, the Necessary Directions have been given to the Auditor Generals Office, and the Muster Rolls required, are put up to be forwarded. We are sorry they have lain so long as a Week for a proper Conveyance; they are now sent, and hope they will go safee to hand” (ALS, DLC:GW). The muster rolls sent GW have not been identified.