To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 10 December 1779
From Samuel Huntington
Philadelphia Decemr 10th 1779
Sir,
I am honour’d with your Excys favour of the 8th instant.
By the act of Congress of this day herewith enclos’d your Excellency will be informed, The party of Colonel Bland’s Regiment of light Dragoons now at Charlotteville are to proceed forthwith to South Carolina & Join the Regiment there, other guards for ⟨the⟩ Barracks being provided from Virgi⟨nia.⟩
That Colo. Bland’s resignation is accepted and it is the pleasure of Congress your Excellency should appoint a proper Officer to succeed him in the Command and immediately proceed to that post and take upon him the direction of affairs there.1 I have the honour to be with the highest respect your Excy’s hble Servt
Sam. Huntington President
LS, DLC:GW; LB, DNA:PCC, item 14. Mutilated portions of the LS are supplied in angle brackets from the letter-book copy.
1. Huntington enclosed a copy of resolutions that Congress passed on this date: “That Governor Jefferson be informed that Congress approve of the measures taken by the Executive of the State of Virginia, in sending to the post of Charlotteville as guards to the Convention troops, a new raised batallion of Infantry, and a troop of light horse of their State troops; And that those troops be considered in Continental service, and receive Continental pay and rations while doing duty at the Convention barracks.
“That the board of War be directed to Order the party of Col. Bland’s regiment of light dragoons now at Charlotteville to proceed to south Carolina forthwith & join the regiment there.
“That Congress have every reason to be satisfied with the Conduct, firmness & prudence evidenced by Col. Bland in his Command at the Convention barracks; but as the state of his health and the situation of his private Affairs will not permit him to remain in Command At that post, General Washington be directed to Appoint a successor in the Command to Col. Bland who shall immediately proceed to the post & take upon him the direction of Affairs there.
“Resolved, That the resignation of Col. Bland be Accepted” (DLC:GW; see also 15:1366–67, and Theodorick Bland to GW, 25 Nov., and n.11). For Col. James Wood’s appointment as the new commander at Charlottesville, Va., see GW to Wood, 14 December.