George Washington Papers

From George Washington to George Clinton, 31 August 1779

To George Clinton

Head Quarters West Point Aug. 31st 1779

Dear Sir,

I have the honor to inclose the copy of a letter of yesterday from Major General Heath, which, as it relates to a matter of civil concern, I think it my duty ⟨to communicate⟩1 to Your Excellency.2

In a letter of the 20th from General Sullivan he sends me the copy of one from General Clinton, by which and by what he mentions himself, the junction was to have been formed the next day.3 Lt Col. Pawling did not join at Anaquaga—nor had he been heard of.4 I have the honor to be With the greatest respect and esteem Your most Obedt servant

Go: Washington

LS, in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, MiU-C: Schoff Revolutionary War Collection; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The LS was offered for sale by Gary Hendershott in 1994.

1. These words do not appear on the LS; they are taken from the draft manuscript, which is in the writing of GW’s aide Alexander Hamilton.

2. The enclosure has not been identified; for Maj. Gen. William Heath’s draft of the letter, see Heath to GW, 30 Aug.; see also Hastings and Holden, Clinton Papers, description begins Hugh Hastings and J. A. Holden, eds. Public Papers of George Clinton, First Governor of New York, 1777–1795, 1801–1804. 10 vols. 1899–1914. Reprint. New York, 1973. description ends 5:243-44.

3. Brig. Gen. James Clinton, delayed by heavy rain, did not join Maj. Gen. John Sullivan until 22 Aug. (Sullivan Expedition Journals, description begins Frederick Cook, ed., and George S. Conover, comp. Journals of the Military Expedition of Major General John Sullivan against the Six Nations of Indians in 1779 With Records of Centennial Celebrations. Auburn, N.Y., 1887. description ends 71, 93, 153).

4. For the expedition of Lt. Col. Albert Pawling, which GW and George Clinton had designed to support Sullivan’s expedition against the Six Nations, see GW to George Clinton, 3 Aug., n.3. For George Clinton’s explanation of the reasons for Pawling’s failure to join James Clinton’s brigade at Oquaga (Anaquago), N.Y., see George Clinton to GW, this date and 1 September.

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    Washington Papers
    Title
    From George Washington to George Clinton, 31 August 1779
    Author
    Washington, George
    Recipient
    Clinton, George
    Date
    31 August 1779

    Reference

    Cite as
    “From George Washington to George Clinton, 31 August 1779,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-22-02-0242. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 22, 1 August–21 October 1779, ed. Benjamin L. Huggins. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2013, pp. 316–317.]

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