From George Washington to Captain John Gregory, 9 April 1779
To Captain John Gregory
Head Quarters Middlebrook 9th April 1779.
Sir
I received your letter of the 20th February ultimo.1
Under the circumstances, of an impaired constitution; incompetent to the duties of a camp, I shall not attempt to oppose your resignation.
But as it is necessary to obtain a certificate of your having settled all your public accounts, I am therefore obliged to delay its final acceptance, till furnished with such a certificate. I am sir your most hble servt.
Df, in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Gregory’s letter of 20 Feb., written at Suffolk, Va., reads: “When I entered into [the] Army, it was with the firmest Intention of continuing ’till the expiration of the war—but find my Constitution considerably impaired and myself in consequence, not equal to the fatigue of Camp, and a Discharge of the Duty incumbent on me as an Officer—from this reason I am induced to beg your Excellency’s permission to resign, which I hope you’ll readily grant, and that you will excuse my not returning to Camp to resign as both the Distance and expence are so extreamly great—Could I think my Petition would be Disagreable to your Excy I would not offer it, and assure you that should it be, upon the first Information thereof I would return instantly” (DNA: RG 93, manuscript file no. 31198; the letter was “favd by Mr Riddick”). Gregory had been appointed a captain in the 15th Virginia Regiment in November 1776, and remained with it after it was redesignated the 11th Virginia Regiment in September 1778.