To George Washington from Lund Washington, 6 May 1778
From Lund Washington
Mount Vernon May 6th 1778
Dr Sir
Every day last Week Mr Custis and my self intended to set off for Camp, but was prevented by Rain. this was the reason why I did not write to you last Post, Custis now declines going his Duty Callg him to the Assembly—the reason why I did not set off for Camp this week is owing to indisposition, I got wet once or twice last week which brought on me a very bad Cold. this Added to an inflamation or breakg out on my uper lip, obliged me to take Physic. Colo. Fitzgerrald says he shall certainly set off for Camp on tuesday next at Farthest. I shall go with him1—Captn Thos Triplett who expected I was to have been at Camp long before I shall, gave me a Letter to you incloseg his Commission—he finds he shall not be able to do the Duty of a Soldier, he cannot recover his health, at this time he is full of Boils—the Letter I shall bring2—As in all probability I shall see you almost as soon as this Letter gets to hand, I shall only tell you the Family are in tolerable health—I have cured a Sufficient Qty of Fish for our people, together with about 160 or 70 Barrels of Shad for the Continent. My Compliments to Mrs Washington & am Dr Sir your affectionate Hbl. Servt
Lund Washington
ALS, ViMtvL
1. “Tuesday next” was 12 May. Lund Washington and John Fitzgerald left Mount Vernon about that date and apparently arrived in camp by 21 May (see Lund Washington to GW, 1 April, n.9; John Parke Custis to GW, 11 May; and GW to Custis, 26 May).
2. Capt. Thomas Triplett’s letter of resignation, dated 29 April, reads: “I have the greatest reason to beleive I shall not Sufficiently recover my Health to discharge the duties of my Office, this Summer; as I have been Very Much Afflicted, ever Sence I was inoculated, I should have been Glad, had my Health permited, to have made this Campain, But for the above reasons have inclosed You my Commission” (DNA: RG 93, manuscript file no. 20183).
GW replied to Triplett on 8 June: “I received your Letter of the 29th of April by Mr Washington, and am exceedingly sorry your indisposition should make it necessary for you to resign your Commission. Your discharge I have inclosed. It is of the date of your Application. I thank you much for your kind wishes & you will accept of mine for your perfect recovery” (DLC:GW).