From George Washington to a Committee of the Massachusetts Council, 24 November 1775
To a Committee of the Massachusetts Council
Cambridge 24th Novr 1775
Gent.
Capt. Aaron Willard reccommends Mr Moses Child to be his Collegue in the Journey to Nova Scota1 as I Know nothing of this Gentleman, I cannot approve or disapprove of him. Mr Willard informs me he is well known unto Doctor Taylor2—if you think him Capable & trustworthy you will please to fill up the instructions with his name which Capt. Willard will give unto you3 I am with great respect Yrs
You will please to furnish Capt. Willard with Letters, to Capt. oBryan & to Col. Cargill, to give every assistance to him & his Companion on their tour.4
G.W.
LB, in Stephen Moylan’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. For the purpose of this journey, see Hancock to GW, 10 Nov., and GW to Hancock, 19 Nov. 1775. Aaron Willard, whom John Adams called “a brave Veteran,” commanded a Massachusetts militia regiment in northern New York during the fall of 1776 (Adams to Daniel Hitchcock, 24 Aug. 1776, in , 4:489–90). Moses Child was apparently from Groton, Massachusetts.
2. John Taylor (c.1734–1794), a physician from Lunenburg who speculated in Maine real estate, was a member of the council.
3. See Instructions to Aaron Willard and Moses Child, this date.
4. Jeremiah O’Brien of Machias and James Cargill of Newcastle were militia officers in Lincoln County, District of Maine.