George Washington Papers
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To George Washington from Colonel Arendt, 25 December 1780

From Colonel Arendt

Philada Decr 25th 1780.

Sir,

In a former letter of mine, I had the honour to acquaint Your Excellency with my safe return to America, and as it hath happened that the same letter hath lain over in the place where I put it to be fowarded I beg leave to mention to You the Subject of it1—At the same time I take the Opportunity to congratulate Your Excellency of Your health which by public Accounts of You is in a perfect State.

Certain Commissions which from my native Country I have undertaken to execute here & have laid the same before Congress, will prove the favourable opinion of the one to the other & may serve as an Introduction to a nearer Alliance of both.2

I expect in a few days to have the resolve of Congress on that subject & upon other matters concerning myself,3 and hope that I shall soon have the honour in person to wait on Your Excellency And am with great respect Sir, Your Excellency’s, most obedt hble Servt

Baron d’Arendt.

in the Arch-Street betwen Second & Therd-Street by Mstres Wirth.4

LS, DLC:GW.

1This letter has not been found, but see Lafayette to GW, 4 Dec., and n.7.

2Congress read a letter from Arendt on 5 Dec. 1780 and referred it to the Board of War (see JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 18:1121). The congressional commercial committee reported on 5 Jan. 1781 that it appeared “from the nature of Baron d’Arendt’s agency, that the king of Prussia has evidenced an attention to the affairs and circumstances of America which as it may lead to important consequences, should not be suffered to pass by unnoticed.” The committee recommended resolutions for Congress to approve “d’Arendt’s collecting the best information possible respecting the trade of America, and the best mode of opening and carrying on commerce between the citizens of these United States and the subjects of his Prussian Majesty” as well as pronounce it as “their sincere desire to cultivate universal peace and friendship, and to promote a mutual exchange of the blessings of Commerce with all nations upon principles of justice, equality and reciprocal advantage.” Congress judged an answer to Arendt as “improper” (JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 19:29–30).

3A memorial that Arendt had submitted regarding his “Military claims” received attention from the Board of War on 16 January. Congress then ordered on 13 Feb. for the Board of Treasury to settle Arendt’s account “for the balance of pay and subsistence due to him as a colonel in the service of the United States, from the time of his last receipt of the same to the time of the expiration of his furlough, after which time Congress did not consider him in service” (JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 19:143–44).

4The Pennsylvania Packet or the General Advertiser (Philadelphia) for 29 Feb. 1780 printed an advertisement suggesting that “Mrs. Wirt” kept a boardinghouse at this address.

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