From George Washington to Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Johnson, 13 July 1780
To Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Johnson
Head Quarters near Passaic Falls [N.J.] July 13. 1780
Sir
I have received yours of the 8th Inst. together with the resignations of Capt. Lacey & Lieut Palmer.1
At such a period at this, after the Army has actually taken the field, when the Battalions will probably be recruited to the establishment, and officers of experience & reputation will be extreamely necessary; No reasons, but those arising from the most absolute necessity can justify any one in asking a dismission from the Service.
Under these circumstances I wish you to use your utmost influence with the Gentlemen in question, not to insist on a discharge before the conclusion of the Campaign—The situation of affairs, the good of the service, and their own personal reputation will strongly enforce your request.
If after all that can be said they persist in their resolution of leaving the service—their resignations will be accepted.2 I am Sir Your Most Obedt Servt.
Df, in David Humphreys’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. On 8 July, Johnson wrote GW from “Camp Nelsons point [N.Y.]”: “It is with regret that I find myself under the necessity of recommending to your Excellency Capt. Lacey and Leiut. Palmer of the 5th Connect. Regt for a discharge from the Service, for the reasons assigned in their resignations which will accompany this.
“From the present scituation of the Regiment it will receive no peculiar injury therefrom” (ALS, DLC:GW).
Capt. Josiah Lacey’s short resignation letter of 30 June asking for dismissal from the army due to the recent death of his wife and sickness in his family is in DNA: RG 93 (manuscript file no. 688).
For the resignation letter of Lt. Edward Palmer, also dated 30 June, see Isaac Woodruff to GW, 7 May, n.4.