From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel William Palfrey, 8 July 1779
To Lieutenant Colonel William Palfrey
Head Qrs N: Windsor July 8, 1779
Sir,
In a letter I have lately received from Gen: Scott, he complains of a want of money for the Troops under his command, a part of whom are old men belonging to the Regiment here, who were reînlisted & furloughed, & have been a considerable time without Pay.1 I am to request you to take such measures, as you may think proper, to have these Troops immediately paid. It is of consequence that there should be no delay in this matter, as it may detain a Reînforcement, which may2 be Very essential to our Southern affairs. I am with great regard Sir yours &c.
G. Washington
LB, MH: Palfrey Family Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. GW almost certainly is referring to Brig. Gen. Charles Scott’s letter to him of 20 June, which has not been found but is mentioned in GW’s letter to Scott of this date. Scott was in Virginia recruiting troops for service in the South.
2. On the draft manuscript, which is in the writing of GW’s aide-de-camp Alexander Hamilton, the word “will” was written initially. Hamilton then struck out that word and wrote “may” above the line.