From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 4 January 1778
To Henry Laurens
Valley Forge Jany 4th 1778.
Sir,
Unwilling as I am to add any thing to the multiplicity of matter1 that necessarily engages the attention of Congress, I am compelled by unavoidable necessity to pass my answer to Genl Gates through their hands.
What could induce Genl Gates to communicate a copy of his Letter to me, to that Honble Body, is beyond the depth of my comprehension upon any fair ground; but the fact being so, must stand as an apology for a liberty, which no other consideration would have induced me to take, to give you this trouble—With the greatest respect. I am Sir Yr Most Obedt Hbe Ser.
Go: Washington
ALS, DNA:PCC, item 152; ADfS, DLC:GW; copy, DNA:PCC, item 169; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW addressed and signed the cover of the ALS.
indicates that Congress read a letter “of the 4th” from GW on 13 Jan.; the words “a letter of the 4th January, with a copy of a letter to General Gates” were struck out ( , 10:44). The docket to this letter notes that it was “referred to the board of war,” although in only GW’s letter of 5 Jan. is recorded as being so referred.1. GW crossed out this word on the draft and wrote “business” above it.