To George Washington from William Alexander Livingston, 27 December 1779
From William Alexander Livingston
Basking-ridge [N.J.] 27th Decr 1779
Sir
Nothing but an earnest desire of serving my native Country could have induced me to relinquish the fairest prospects of amassing a large Fortune in a Southern Climate—It was with this View I first set out from New-Orleans in hopes of soon reaching the American Camp and offering my Assistance however small to your Excellency.
I embarked in a Vessel for the Havannah and was bound from thence to Cape Francois1 in hopes of procuring a passage for some American port, but on my way was unfortunately captured and carried into Jamaica which prevented my proceeding as soon as I expected; the gen’rous offers of my friends while in that Island, and the many Arguments made use of for me to remain among them, had not the wished for Influence over me; as I was predetermined that no Inducement whatever should detain me from proceeding on my proposed rout.
Accordingly I took passage in a Vessel bound for New-York, in which was taken by a New England privateer and carried into the port of New London, since which have been considered as a prisoner and under that Character have been in the City of New-York to transact some commercial business for my Jamaica Friends—Thus am I disagreeably situated, being under parole to the State of Connecticut, which has prevented my taking an active part in behalf of the thirteen United States.2
I have taken the Liberty of troubling your Excellency with this plain Narration of thus much of my History, through a desire of being acquainted with your Opinion, relative to the propriety of cancelling my parole and deeming myself in future a Subject of these States. Should I be justifiable in this, there is nothing I should esteem a higher honour than to merit your Excellency’s Notice and favour and in Case of any Vacancy, beg leave to propose myself to serve as near your Excellency’s Person as shall be convenient and agreeable3—with the utmost Respect I am your Excellency’s most obedt humble Servt
Wm A. Livingston
ALS, DLC:GW.
William Alexander Livingston (1757–1780), of the prominent Livingston family, abandoned his studies at Princeton without graduating and resided in Florida at the start of the American Revolution. Siding with the Loyalists, Livingston went to New York in later 1776. By early spring 1777, however, he had expressed a desire to join the Patriot cause and eventually found his way to the West Indies. Captured by a privateer on his return to the United States in 1779, Livingston apparently tried to clarify his commitment to the American cause. He died in a duel at a Continental army camp in late summer 1780.
1. Livingston is referring to Cap Français, now Cap Haïtien, Haiti, and known locally as Le Cap. The French founded Cap Français on the northern coast of Saint Domingue in 1670.
2. Connecticut governor Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., introduced Livingston to GW in a letter written at Lebanon on 11 July but probably never delivered: “This will be delivered by Mr Wm Alexr Livin[g]ston son of Peter Van burg-Livingston Esqur now residing in New Jersey—the young Gentleman informs me that he hath been absent from his Father five years—during the most of that time hath transacted business in West Florida, from thence proceeded to Jamaica—and on his passage from thence In a Vessel bound to New York, he was captured, and bro’t into New London—On his application for leave to proceed with his Servant & Baggage to Your Excellency’s head Quarters on parole—have given him a pass—his wish is to return to New Jersey” (ALS, CtHi). Trumbull also wrote New Jersey governor William Livingston from Lebanon on 15 July: “Your Nephew Mr. Wm. Alex Livingston is the bearer of this. …
“He applied to me for leave to go in a Flag to New York; in our present situation, do not think it convenient to grant that request—have given him a pass to Head Quarters at New Windsor—hope he may return & prove himself accept[able] to His Father and Friends in New Jersey” ( 3:153; see also 2:362–63). William Livingston replied to Trumbull on 23 Aug., expressing thanks “for any Civilities shewn to my Nephew Mr. William Alexander Livingston; & think you was perfectly right in refusing his request to go into New York. He was certainly a British Subject at the time of his capture … Indeed I am sorry that a single Individual of his name should chuse to be such a Subject. But all Families are liable to have degenerate Members. Even Adam’s had its Cain: that of Isaac its Esau; and among the twelve Apostles there was at least One Traitor” ( 3:163–64). William Alexander Livingston subsequently wrote his uncle William Livingston from Basking Ridge on 8 Sept. seeking assistance for “a Gentleman who has a small property in the State of Maryland” and was captured with him while sailing “in a Vessel from Jamaica bound to New York” ().
3. GW replied to Livingston from Morristown on 2 Jan. 1780: “I have been favored with your letter of the 27th of Decr last.
“The motives for your return to your native country, are such as do honor to your sentiments and cannot fail to acquire the esteem of its citizens.
“As you have been pleased to ask my opinion with regard to the propriety of cancelling your parole, and becoming a subject of these States, I will give it to you with candor. The going into New-York appears to me rather an unfortunate circumstance, as it served to encourage in the enemy the idea of a friendly disposition to them. Still ⟨h⟩owever I have no doubt, but that t⟨he⟩ superior obligations you owe your native country should supersede any other consideration. The intention of your return would also be otherwise defeated.
“I feel myself personally indebted for the manner in which you make an offer of your service. I am sorry that nothing presents itself in the line which seems to be most agreeable to your wishes. But if any other situation occurs in which the circumstances of the service correspond with your inclination, I shall be happy to do any thing in my power to promote it” (DfS, in James McHenry’s and Alexander Hamilton’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW wrote the dateline and the closing on the draft. Mutilated portions of the draft are supplied in angle brackets from the Varick transcript.).