From George Washington to Brigadier General Anthony Wayne, 27 November 1779
To Brigadier General Anthony Wayne
Head Quarters West-point 27th Novr 1779.
Dr Sir
I have received your favor of the 19th and that of the 25th.
As the different State clothiers have drawn their proportion of clothing—I think the sooner you send your quarter master through the line from whence the Light Infantry have been taken, the better—that he may receive from them their quota of blankets and other clothing which comes to the share of the Infantry, and have it disposed of agreeably to the general order for distribution.1
I find some embarrassment in deciding on Obriens sentence.2 We do not see the multiplying of executions produce the effects for which they were intended; and for many reasons it is not a desirable thing to lose men in examples of this kind, unless in cases of the most apparent necessity. I would be directed in some measure by the consequences which a pardon might occasion; and if these could not be of any consideration, he may be confined for some time under the fear of the punishment sentenced him by the court, and then liberated.
Fort Stanwix still remains in our possession, without any other attack, than what you find in the New-York-paper.3 I had anticipated the hint which you have taken notice of, by a very full representation on the subject, to Congress.4 I am Dr Sir Your most obt servt
Go: Washington
LS, in James McHenry’s writing, PHi: Wayne Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW signed the cover of the LS, which was addressed to Wayne at Second River, New Jersey.
1. See General Orders, 20 Nov., and n.2 to that document.
2. For Pvt. Patrick Bryan’s court-martial, see Wayne to GW, 25 Nov., and n.1 to that document.
3. See Wayne to GW, 19 Nov., n.2.
4. In his letter of 25 Nov., Wayne alerted GW to the Continental army’s many expiring enlistments. GW already had informed Congress of this pending problem in a letter to Samuel Huntington of 18 Nov., which enclosed a detailed return. For a summary of the return, see n.2 to the letter.