To George Washington from Major General Robert Howe, 14 December 1779
From Major General Robert Howe
Fish Kill [N.Y.] Decemr 14th 1779
Dr Sir.
I am this moment Honour’d with your Excellency’s letter, of the 12th Instant,1 I shall endeavour to be at Morris Town on the day mentioned—Should the Arrangments I am to make in this Quarter, which my private letter will set forth,2 appear to your Excellency of such a Nature, as to render my attendance this way more important, than any service I can do by sitting upon the Court Martial, you will please to countermand me3—I am with the greatest respect Sir Your Excellency’s Most Obt Hum. Sevt
Robert Howe
LS, DLC:GW.
1. For this letter to Howe, see GW to William Heath, 12 Dec., n.1; see also Heath to GW, 14 Dec., and n.1 to that document.
2. See the first letter from Howe to GW of this date.
3. Howe served as president of Maj. Gen. Benedict Arnold’s court-martial upon its resumption on 23 Dec. (see GW to Joseph Reed, 4 Dec., and the notes to that document).