To George Washington from William Livingston, 20 February 1777
From William Livingston
Haddonfield [N.J.] 20 Feby 1777
Sir
I received a Letter from Collo. Shreve yesterday from Burlington applying for a Barrack Master & Commissary, for wood & for straw; & informing me that the Barracks want repair; from what I collect that the Collo. intends to make Burlington the Seat of his Residence longer than I think his Duty to the Service, requires—He has not furnished me with a Return; but I am informd that he has with him 400 Men—It is a considerable time since, that, in pursuance of a Resolve of Congress, I directed him to send his Men to join the Army under your Excellency’s Command, as they were raised.1 For what particular Reason he purposes to make so long a hault at Burlington I know not. Nor would I be understood to fault his Conduct, he not being under my Direction. But my regard for the Service, & my certain knowledge that unless he has a better reason for it than I can guess, it is contrary to the said Resolution of Congress induces me to consider it as my Duty to trouble your Excellency with this Information, I am with great Respect Your most humble Servt
Wil: Livingston
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. For Livingston’s order of 20 Jan. 1777 directing the colonels of the new levies “to march by Companies & parts of Companies as fast as they shall be raised & join the Army under General Washington with the utmost Dispatch,” see , 1:201–2, and for Congress’s resolution of 27 Dec. 1776, see , 6:1043.