From George Washington to John Laurance, 24 August 1778
To John Laurance
Camp [White Plains] Augt 24th 1778
sir
On the 13 Instant I wrote to Wm Patterson and Jonathan D. Sargeant Esquires, Attorney Generals for Jersey & pensylvania by Express & transmitted a Copy of the Resolution, which you mention; notifying them at the same time, that Genl St Clair’s trial would come on to day. I have received an Answer from Mr Patterson, by which he declines attending.1 From Mr Sergeant I have not heard. The Letter to him, I inclosed to the care of Mr Laurens, president of Congress, with a request that it might be forwarded to him, as I did not know in what part of pensylvania he then was. I am Sir &c.
G.W.
P.S. The president received my Letter of the 13th, which inclosed Mr Sergeant’s—& I am informed dispatched to him by Express.
Df, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
Harrison also wrote Laurance on this date: “In consequence of your request and his Excellency’s permission I send you the Resolution which you want. You will be pleased to take care of it” (DLC:GW).
1. William Paterson’s answer has not been found.