To Thomas Jefferson from George Walls, 4 February 1781
From George Walls
Berkeley, 4 Feb. 1781. The time of the men in the regiment to which Walls belongs will expire in less than twelve months, but “I am Certain they Cou’d be cheafly all inlisted for the war” and with less expense if they were asked to engage now rather than later. Requests a sum of money by “the bearer Majr. Hunter” in order to obtain these enlistments.
Tr (Vi). This letter is puzzling. First, it appears to be a recipient’s copy and is found among the Executive Papers; it is, however, endorsed (in part): “Copy.” Second, it is in large part a duplicate of Walls’ letter to TJ of 30 Jan.: both were identical in substance and both were carried by Major Hunter. The explanation may be that Hunter, who carried several other communications (see Gates to TJ, 2 Feb.), was delayed in setting out, Walls thereupon took advantage of the delay to redraft his letter, and, through mistake, Hunter brought away both the versions of 30 Jan. and 4 Feb., the latter being copied before disappearing. But this is conjectural.