From George Washington to Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum, 14 May 1777
To Brigadier General James Mitchell Varnum
Head Quarters [Morristown] May 14th 1777
Sir,
Yours of the 6th instant this moment reached me, inclosing returns of the batalions raising in your state.
You must continue to send them forward with1 all expedition, whatever affect it may have in the opinions of those you mention. Their presence in this quarter cannot be dispensed with; and it is impossible to neglect2 a certain and pressing danger, in order to guard against a precarious and improbable one. I am Sir Your most Obedient servt
Go: Washington
LS, in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, CSmH; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. Hamilton addressed the cover of the LS to “The Honorable Brigadier General Varnum East Greenwich Rhode Island,” and GW franked it.
1. Hamilton inadvertently wrote “will” on the manuscript of the LS. The Varick transcript reads “with.”
2. The Varick transcript reads: “and it would be folly in the extreme to neglect.”