From George Washington to Colonel Richard Butler, 24 January 1780

To Colonel Richard Butler

Head Quarters Morris Town 24 Jany 1780

Dear Sir

I have received your favr of the 21st—As we are tolerably well supplied with provision at present I would not wish you to distress any of the inhabitants by taking their working Oxen. As there is a law of the state for punishing engrossers,1 Lt Colo. Chamberlain if guilty of a breach of it will more properly come under the cognizance of the Civil than Military law and I therefore think you had best let his person alone, as we should be at a loss how to deal with him, should you take him. I am much obliged to you for your exertions—as I am to the Gentlemen who went to the other Counties. We are reaping the benefits of your industry in a very high degree. I am Dear Sir yr most obt Servt.

Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1. On 15 Dec. 1779, the New Jersey legislature passed “An ACT to prevent Engrossing, Forestalling and Enhancing the Prices of Produce, Manufacture and Merchandize, within this State” (N.J. Acts 1779, First Sitting description begins Acts of the General Assembly of the State of New-Jersey, At a Session begun at Trenton on the 26th Day of October, 1779, and continued by Adjournments. Being the First Sitting of the Fourth Assembly. Trenton, 1780. description ends , 23–25 [chapter XI]).

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Source Project: Washington Papers
Title: From George Washington to Colonel Richard Butler, 24 January 1780
Author: Washington, George
Recipient: Butler, Richard
Date: 24 January 1780

Reference

Cite as: “From George Washington to Colonel Richard Butler, 24 January 1780,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-24-02-0190. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 24, 1 January–9 March 1780, ed. Benjamin L. Huggins. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2016, pp. 238–239.]

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