From George Washington to Patrick Henry, 13 September 1778
To Patrick Henry
Head Quarters White plains 13 Sepr 1778
Dear Sir
I have been honored with yours of the 21st Augt inclosing a letter for Capt. Henry, whose ill state of health obliged him to quit the service about three weeks past. I therefore return you the letter.1
I wrote to you the 23d May last, and inclosed you a Return of the number of the drafts, under the old and new law,2 who had actually joined the Army. I did this that the Assembly might see what Counties had been deficient in sending forward their quotas. Having never recd an answer, I am apprehensive that the letter and papers may have miscarried. If they have never reached you, be pleased to signify it, and I will furnish duplicates. I have the honor to be &c.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Neither Henry’s letter to GW of 21 Aug. nor its enclosure has been found. John Henry (1757–1791), Patrick Henry’s son, was appointed a cornet in the 1st Continental Dragoons in June 1776 and promoted to lieutenant in December of that year, but he resigned from the dragoons in February 1777 to take an appointment as captain in the 1st Continental Artillery Regiment. He resigned from the army on 27 Aug. 1778.
2. For the two laws, passed in the May 1777 and October 1777 sessions of the Virginia general assembly, see , 9:275–80, 337–49.