George Washington Papers
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From George Washington to the Board of War, 12 December 1779

To the Board of War

Hd Qrs Morris Town Decr 12. 1779

Gentn

I am honored with your letter of the 3d instant on the subject of Mr Galvan—My opinion of the qualifications of this Gentleman correspond with that of the Board; but I could not by any means recommend a compliance with his pretensions, though I should be glad to see him in some station which would afford him an opportunity of employing his talents usefully—The situation he has been in, in our army, and his want of service, in any other, would make the rank he claims appear excessive; and the conferring of it would not fail to give umbrage as well to many of his own countrymen as to our own officers. The most I can recommend is to appoint him to a majority, to be employed in the Inspectorship as circumstances may make convenient:1 The appointment to be dated at the time it is made.

The reasonings of the Board with respect to the different corps mentioned in their letter are perfectly just—in addition to which it is to be observed, that the Artillery is already provided with a Brigade inspector—The cavalry and one or two small independent corps alone remain unprovided. But I should think it preferable not to designate him to any particular corps, and to put the manner of employing him upon the footing mentioned above—His knowlege application and industry will I am persuaded render him useful.2 If the Mustering department should be annexed to the Inspectorship as has been proposed3 the appointment of some additional inspectors will become necessary—I have the Honor to be with great respect Gentn Yr Most Obedt st

G.W.

Df, in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1At this place on the draft, Hamilton wrote and then struck out a sentence: “This will be a very handsome appointment.”

2Congress appointed William Galvan a major and inspector in the Continental army in a resolution adopted on 12 Jan. 1780 (see JCC, description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends 16:44). Among Galvan’s ongoing efforts that led to this result was his long letter to Congress written at Philadelphia on 28 Dec. 1779: “I am a full Captain in the french Service; which a Copy of my commission certified by Doctor Franklin or the testimony of his Excellency the Minister of france may ascertain.

“I have been in the Service of the united States ever Since the 26th of September 1776 without any interruption but during 43 days, the time of passing from the Southern to the Northern army. …

“The baron DeSteuben has officially recommended me to your honourable house for a Commission of Sub inspector. his letter and my memorial have been refferred to the board of war. this board has Consulted the commander in Chief, and his Excellency has given as his opinion that I may be appointed a major to be employed occassionally where my Services may be required.

“Had the General been acquainted with all the Circumstances particular to my Case, or had he officially passed judgment upon them, he is too just and too equitable not to have thought me intitled to a higher rank. but he had no other objects to Compare but my intrinsic value as an officer, the dignity which it is necessary to restore to military ranks, and the dissatisfaction which the admission of any body in to the army will always excite in some Selfish minds. if after having brought my merits to Such a terrible test, his Excellency still found that the rank of major might be conferred on me with advantage to the Service, I hope that the many other circumstances here above Stated, will have their due weight in your eyes, and as those circumstances which render my Case So hard and so Singular, were either unknown or not present to his Excellency, I humbly expect that your honours will be pleased to take into consideration, not only, as he has done, what my military merits may intitle me to, but also what my Sacrifices and my constancy in the lowest and most uncomfortable Stations further deserve from your justice and generosity. …

“Therefore, Gentlemen, permit me, most humbly to request, that your honours will be pleased to grant my Claim of a Commission of Lieutenant Colonel, or to order that the merits of this petition Shall be refferred again for fuller Consideration, either to a Committee of Some of your honourable members or to the Commander in Chief himself. either way will equally Satisfy me, because my respect for this worthy chief and my Confidence in his justice are Such that I do not wish for any other judge, provided that all the considerations upon which judgment is to be passed be laid before him” (DNA:PCC, item 78). Congress read Galvan’s letter on the same date and denied his request (JCC, description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends 15:1414; see also Samuel Huntington to Galvan, 29 Dec., in Smith, Letters of Delegates, description begins Paul H. Smith et al., eds. Letters of Delegates to Congress, 1774–1789. 26 vols. Washington, D.C., 1976–2000. description ends 14:307, and JCC, description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends 15:1419–21).

3At this place on the draft, Hamilton wrote and then struck out “and as seems a very eligible measure.”

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