From George Washington to Brigadier General William Irvine, 6 February 1780
To Brigadier General William Irvine
Morristown Feby 6th 1780.
Dear Sir,
The inclosed is a request to General Hand to return to Camp.1 I shall be obliged to you for causing it to be safe delivered.
I hope your absence2 will not exceed the first of April—could you return sooner3 with convenience,4 it would be more agreeable5 to Dr Sir Yr obedt Hble Servt
Go: Washington
ALS, PHi: Papers of William Irvine; ADfS, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW signed the cover of the ALS and addressed the letter to Irvine “at his Quarters.”
1. See GW to Edward Hand, this date. On the draft, GW wrote this sentence as: “The inclosed to Genl Hand is a request for him to return to Camp.”
2. On the draft, GW first wrote “stay,” then crossed out that word and wrote “absence.”
3. On the draft, GW wrote “if it were less” instead of the last four words.
4. On the draft, GW included the words “to yourself” at the end of this phrase.
5. Irvine had obtained GW’s leave to visit his family at Carlisle, Pa., and was planning to leave camp on 7 Feb. (see Irvine to Joseph Reed, this date, 1st ser., 8:103).