To George Washington from John Laurance, 20 February 1781
From John Laurance
Peekskil [N.Y.] February 20th 1781
Sir
As I am truely sensible of Your Excellencys Attention, in the offer you made me, I am impelled by Gratitude to return you my thanks for it.
It is with much truth that I assure Your Excellency, that nothing but a peculiarity of Situation constrains me to decline, what Inclination prompts me to accept. This determination is induced by a full review of my Condition, and as I flatter myself that my Conduct hitherto, has met with Your Excellencys Approbation, I cannot but hope, this Instance will not be displeasing. I am With every sentiment of Respect Your Excellencys Obliged Servant
John Laurance
N.B. A Cold prevents my waiting on Your Excellcy in person, which I hope will appoligize f[o]r my not doi[n]g it.
ADfS, NHi: John Laurance Papers. The postscript appears to be in a different handwriting. GW may have invited Laurance, then judge advocate general, to serve as his secretary in the absence of another attorney, Robert Hanson Harrison (see Harrison to GW, 28 Nov. 1780 and 26 Feb. 1781).