From George Washington to James Caldwell, 22 August 1778
To James Caldwell
Head Quarters White plains 22d Augt 1778
Sir
A few days ago I recd yours inclosing sundry papers relating to Capt. Randolph.1 I think him justly intitled to the pay of a Captain (in which rank he acted when taken) from the time Genl Sullivan took him into employ, untill he was released. When he returns, I will, upon application, give him a Warrant for the Amount of his pay.
I would not have you employ the stationary Expresses upon common occasions, because, as you observe, they may be out of the way when dispatches of consequence are going on. Whenever you are under the necessity of using them, some persons should be engaged to remain at the stages till they return, lest it should occasion the delay of an important dispatch. I am &c.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Caldwell’s letter and its enclosures have not been identified. GW may be referring to Capt. Nathaniel FitzRandolph (1748–1780) of the Middlesex County, N.J., militia. FitzRandolph was captured on Long Island, 27 Aug. 1776, and exchanged in April 1778. By June 1778 he had resumed military activity—the results of a raid on Staten Island were reported in the New-Jersey Gazette (Trenton) of 10 June. Though elected a naval officer by the New Jersey council and assembly in December 1778, FitzRandolph evidently continued his raids on Staten Island, so in February 1779 a Loyalist raiding party crossed over from the island and seized FitzRandolph at his Woodbridge, N.J., home. FitzRandolph was again exchanged in May 1780, and he died in July 1780 of wounds received in a battle at Springfield, N.J., on 23 June 1780.