Alexander Hamilton Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Hamilton/01-26-02-0002-0044

To Alexander Hamilton from Lieutenant Colonel Richard Varick, [22 October 1780]

From Lieutenant Colonel Richard Varick1

[Robinson’s House,2 Highlands, New York, October 22, 1780. On October 24, 1780, Varick wrote to Hamilton3: “I wrote You on the 22nd.” Letter not found.]

1Varick, a native of Hackensack, New Jersey, was admitted to the bar in New York City in 1774. On June 28, 1775, he enlisted as a captain in the New York Regiment and in June, 1776, became a military secretary to General Philip Schuyler, H’s future father-in-law. On September 25, 1776, he was appointed deputy muster master general to the Northern Army, and on April 10, 1777, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel and given the title of deputy commissary general of musters. He served in this capacity until Congress abolished the office on January 12, 1780, at which time he returned to civilian life (JCC description begins Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 (Washington, 1904–1937; Reprinted, New York, 1968). description ends , XVI, 47). In early August, 1780, six weeks before Major General Benedict Arnold’s treason was discovered, Arnold, at General Schuyler’s suggestion, invited Varick to become his military secretary at West Point, New York.

2Robinson’s House, which was about two miles southeast of West Point, was Benedict Arnold’s headquarters when his treason was discovered. It was owned by Beverly Robinson, one of New York’s leading Tories.

3Printed in this volume.

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