To George Washington from the Massachusetts Council, 12 October 1779
From the Massachusetts Council
State of Mass. Bay In Council Octr 12 1779
Sir
your Excellencys Letter of the 4th of October to the Council of this State was duly received, and immediately laid before the General Assembly which fortunately happened to be then sitting.1 The Assembly have chearfully complid with your Requisition and accordingly orderd two thousand Men to be raisd with all possible Dispatch for the Purpose mentiond. The Council have appointed Brigr General Fellows to take the Command. Inclosd is Copy of the Resolution of the General Assembly.2 Wishing that Success may ever attend the Arms of the United States & their Ally,3 I am in the Name & Behalf of the Council Yr Excellencys most obedient humble Servant.
Df, M-Ar. On 3 Nov., GW replied to this letter and the council’s letter of 16 Oct., offering the council his “warmest thanks” for their attention to his requisitions (M-Ar).
1. For GW’s letter to the Massachusetts council, see GW to George Clinton, 4 Oct., a version of which was sent to Massachusetts governor Jeremiah Powell.
2. This enclosure has not been identified. The general assembly’s “Resolve directing the raising two Thousand Militia to reinforce the Continental Army,” which they passed on 9 Oct., called for that number of militia, organized into three regiments, to be raised by draft or volunteer enlistment to serve for three months from the time they joined the army (, 121–23).
3. GW had requested this body of militia to support his prospective operations with the French fleet (see Planning for an Allied Attack on New York, c.3–7 Oct.). For the assembling and eventual dismissal of this body of militia, see GW to George Clinton, 4 Oct., n.7.