To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 15 April 1780
From Samuel Huntington
Philadelphia April 15. 1780
Sir,
Your Excellency will be informed by the Act of Congress of this Day herewith enclosed, they have been pleased to appoint Colo. Joseph Ward Commissary General of Prisoners in the room of Colo. Beaty resigned.1 I have the honor to be with the highest respect your Excelly’s most obt hbble servant
Sam. Huntington President
LS, DLC:GW; LB, DNA:PCC, item 14.
1. The enclosed extract from the minutes of Congress for this date reads: “Congress proceeded to the election of a commissary Genl of prisoners and the ballots being taken—Colo. Joseph Ward was elected” (DLC:GW; see also , 16:366). Huntington wrote Joseph Ward from Philadelphia on the same date to notify him of his appointment and the need “to supply the Vacancy with as little Delay as possible” ( , 15:40). Ward declined the appointment “by reason of present circumstances” when he wrote Huntington from Boston on 3 May (DNA:PCC, item 78). Congress read Ward’s letter on 18 May ( , 17:435).
For the actions of Congress on 31 March to accept John Beatty’s resignation as commissary general of prisoners and to nominate his potential successor, see , 16:319. The office of commissary general of prisoners remained vacant until Abraham Skinner was selected to fill it in September (see , 17:770, 788–89, 18:828).