To George Washington from George Mercer et al., April 1757
From George Mercer et al.
[c.April 1757]
Sir
In Case Mr Hamilton should, according to his Desire, be remov’d to any other Station than that he is now in, we would recommend to your Notice Mr Kennedy who by his Diligence, Modesty and Complacency has gained the Esteem of all the Officers that have been acquainted with him since he has done the Duty of Commissary & whom we all think worthy to be prefered to the Post Mr Hamilton bears and every Way qualified to discharge his Duty in that Capacity to the Satisfaction of You & his Country.1 We are Sir, Your hble Servts
Go: Mercer
| Peter Steenbergen | Thos Waggener |
| John Williams | C. Lewis |
| John Campbell | David Bell |
| John Deane | John McNeill |
| Nathl Thompson | |
| Jas Roy |
LS, DLC:GW. This document was written at some time after John Hamilton became the quartermaster of the Virginia Regiment on 12 July 1756 and before late May 1757 when George Mercer went to South Carolina. It almost certainly was written in April or very early May 1757. This and the letter from Adam Stephen printed immediately below were written on opposite sides of the same sheet of paper.
1. David Kennedy, a young Scot identified as a merchant by profession, served as a commissary for the troops at Maidstone while acting as a sergeant in Robert Stewart’s company. He went to Fort Cumberland in July 1756 to become the assistant commissary there and remained until at least as late as January 1757. He succeeded John Hamilton as quartermaster of the Virginia Regiment in October 1757 after Hamilton fled before he could be prosecuted for selling regimental supplies to the inhabitants of Winchester.