From George Washington to Major William Goodrich, 4 July 1779
To Major William Goodrich
Head Qrs New Windsor July the 4: 1779
sir
I have received Your Letter of the 30th Ulto.1 I could not give the party, which was intended to be raised and to march under your command, greater pay or any other terms2 than what I mentioned.3 As the matter has been deferred so long, I don’t know, even if the party could be engaged on those terms, that it would answer all the valuable purposes which were at first in view. With respect to the Men raising for Nine months, they cannot be employed in the manner they request; but must recruit the Regiments according to the intentions of the State.4
Solomon Hendricks has shewn me a List of Thirty two Stockbridge Indians, who he says, are still desirous of going on the Western expedition and have chosen him for their Captain. If this is the case, on the terms & conditions I mentioned, I shall have no objection to the measure and to their joining General Sullivan as early as they can by the way of Wyoming—or to their falling in with Genl Clinton if they can overtake him. I have told him this—and given him a Writing in the nature of a Commission while he is on this service.5 I am sir Yr Most Obedt servt
Go: Washington
Df, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Goodrich’s letter to GW of 30 June has not been found.
2. At this place on the draft manuscript, Harrison first wrote “or bounty.” He then struck out those words and wrote “or any other terms” above the line.
4. Officials in Massachusetts and Connecticut, seeking incentives to fill their Continental regiments, offered or considered both large enlistment bounties and short service terms (see Mass. Resolves, 28 May-30 June 1779, 19–23, and 185–87; see also William Gordon to GW, 22 July; GW to Benjamin Lincoln, 30 July; and General Orders, 13 Aug. and 19 Sept.).