From George Washington to Brigadier General George Clinton, 3 March 1777
To Brigadier General George Clinton
Morris Town March 3d 1777
Sir
Your favour of the 23d February was duly handed me; and I am thankful for the attention and activity, with which you are promoting the public service.
As you have all the circumstances immediately before you, you can best judge whether the cannon, of which you speak, will be most useful to defend the obstructions which are forming, or at the places where they now are; and you will be pleased to govern yourself accordingly.
I rely on your judgment in favour of the gentlemen you mention, and on your further choice of those, who are wanting to complete the necessary number; and I earnestly request the most expeditious measures may be taken towards the raising and preparing their men. You will, no doubt, exert yourself, by every possible method to procure a sufficient number of men for the posts, and for the business, under your superintendence.1 I am Dr sir Your most humble servant
Go: Washington
LS, in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, PPRF; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Clinton wrote GW from Kingston, N.Y., on 4 Mar. 1777 enclosing a list of officers for “one of the four Companies for which your Excellency was pleased to direct me [to] nominate—Mr [John] Watkins who is mentioned as Captain is the Bearer of this will wait upon your Excellency for the Warrants & Recruiting Orders” (NjMoHP). The other names on the list are Daniel Wood, first lieutenant, Jonathan Lawrence, second lieutenant, and Daniel Jackson, ensign.