From George Washington to Thomas Nelson, 2 August 1798
To Thomas Nelson
Mount Vernon 2d Augt 1798
Dear Sir,
Your letter of the 27th Ulto came to my hands by the last Post, and I thank you for the Offer you have made me of your Services as one of my Aids de Camp;1 But as you will have seen by the reservation made in my letter to the President of the U. States (which I perceive is published in the Gazettes) that my coming forward depends upon contingencies; so, the appointing of my Aids, will be regulated by that call upon me, until which, I shall have no occasion of Aids; and ’till then shall hold myself perfectly free; (unless some particular case should occasion a departure from it); as in the choice of mine, many considerations (some more powerful than friendship, or the indulgence of my own Inclinations) must combine. Mrs Washington is thankful for your kind remembrance of her—and I am Your Affecte & Obedt
Go: Washington
ALS (letterpress copy), DLC:GW.
1. Thomas Nelson (b. 1764), son of Thomas Nelson (1738–1789), wrote to GW from Yorktown on 27 July: “At this eventful and important period when every American Citizen should feel a just indignation at his Country’s wrongs and should be anxious to assume the character of the Soldier, I hope I shall be excused, if, desirous of affording my little mite of service, I take the liberty of tendering it, and of expressing a wish to meet with your favour so far as to be honor’d with the appointment of an Aid de Camp in your family, when you shall take upon you the charge which to the great joy of all America you have been lately requested to undertake” (DLC:GW).