From George Washington to Major General Arthur St. Clair, 15 January 1781
To Major General Arthur St. Clair
Head Quarters New Windsor Janry 15th 1781
Dear Sir
I have duly received your favor of the 11th together with one from the Committee of Congress of the 9th Inst.1 as I had just dispatched an Express to you, with my Letter of the 12th—I have detained your Messenger untill this time, in expectation that something so decisive would have turned up, as might have fixed the line of conduct which we ought to pursue.
But nothing new having come to my knowledge, which could give sufficient ground for determination, since my last, I can only refer you to it. The Detachment shall be held in readiness till I hear from you, which I anxiously expect every Moment.2 Indeed nothing can be of greater i mportance, than to communicate with the utmost rapidity, every incident that may happen, during the continuance of this unhappy affair.3 I am Dear Sir With very great regard Your Most Obedient Humble Servant
Go: Washington
LS, in David Humphreys’s writing, in private hands; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The manuscript page with the docket of the LS is in OHi: Arthur St. Clair Papers.
1. See St. Clair to GW, 11 Jan., and Continental Congress Committee on the Pennsylvania Line to GW, 9 January.
2. In his letter of 12 Jan., GW had advised St. Clair of the formation of this detachment, designed to suppress the mutiny in the Pennsylvania line.
3. St. Clair had written GW on 14–15 Jan. and wrote him again on 17 January.