From George Washington to Volckert Pieterse Douw, 27 September 1779
To Volckert Pieterse Douw
Head Quarters West point 27th Sepr 1779
Sir
I have been favd with yours of the 12th inclosing Copy of your speech to the Oneidas and Tuscarora’s.1 I think you were perfectly right in ordering back and detaining the three Onondagas to whom you had granted their liberty upon parole, untill they should send back the seven who had made their escape.2 I congratulate you and the other Commissioners upon the happy prospect of the success of Genl Sullivan’s expedition, which I hope will make a lasting impression upon the minds of the Savages. I have the honor to be &c.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. This letter has not been found; the enclosures have not been identified.
2. For these Onondaga prisoners captured in Col. Goose Van Schaick’s expedition against Onondaga, N.Y., in April, see Philip Schuyler to GW, 27 April; GW to James Clinton, 9 May; GW to Van Schaick, 9 May; and GW’s first letter to Schuyler of 10 May. In July, GW had informed Douw and the other Indian commissioners that he would leave the decision on the disposition of these prisoners “wholly to their determination” (GW to Douw, 29 July).