George Washington Papers

From George Washington to John Mathews, 9 September 1780

To John Mathews

Head qrs [Bergen County] Sepr 9. 1780

Dear Sir

I have heard that a New Arrangement is about to take place in the Medical Department and that it is likely, it will be a good deal curtailed with respect to many of it’s present appointments.1 Who will be the persons generally employed I am not informed nor do I wish to know; however I will mention to You—that I think Doctors Cochran & Craick—from their services—abilities and experience—and their close attention, have the justest claim to their Country’s notice and to be among the first Officers in the Establishment. Doctors Latimer, Tilton, Hegan and Townhend, who are now senior Surgeons, and also Gentlemen of great merit and have a just claim to be continued—from their abilities—attention and other considerations. They are All single Men and therefore, being otherwise well qualified—are the most elegible. I have received too the most favourable reports of the merits and attention of Doctor Jenifer, a Junior Surgeon, who is in the same situation.2 A Doctor Craigee the present Apothecary General, a Gentleman not personally known to me, has been reported to me as very deserving of the Appointment.3

The several Gentlemen I have mentioned, as I have observed, appear to me to have the fairest pretensions to the public esteem—and if they are honoured with proper places I am satisfied the public will be greatly benefitted by their services. There are many other Gentlemen in the Departmt whom I have omitted to name. The reason of my mentioning these particularly, proceeds from a hint given me that the New Arrangement might possibly be influenced by a spirit of party out of doors, which would not operate in their favor.4 I will add no more than that I am Dr Sir With the most perfect regard Yr Most Obt st.

Df, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW docketed the draft: “Note the same was written to Mr Duane & Mr Jones—so far as it respected Cochran & Craik.”

GW also wrote Virginia delegate Joseph Jones on this date: “I have heard that a new arrangement is about to take place in the Medical Department, and that it is likely, it will be a good deal curtailed with respect to its present appointments.

“Who will be the persons generally employed I am not informed, nor do I wish to know; however I will mention to you, that I think Doctrs Craik & Cochran from their Services—abilities & experience—and their close attention, have the strictest claim to their Country’s notice, and to be among the first Officers in the Establishment.

“There are many other deserving characters in the Medical line of the Army, but the reasons for my mentioning the above Gentlemen are, that I have the highest opinion of them—and have had it hinted to me that the new arrangement might possibly be influenced by a spirit of party out of Doors, which would not operate in their favor” (ALS, DNLM). Jones replied to GW on 2 October. GW’s letter to New York delegate James Duane on this date closely follows the one to Jones (ALS [facsimile], in Magazine of American History description begins Magazine of American History with Notes and Queries. 30 vols. New York, 1877–93. description ends 21 [1889]:119–21). Duane replied to GW on 19 September.

Samuel Huntington, president of Congress, wrote GW from Philadelphia on 10 Oct.: “Your Excellency will receive herewith enclosed the Copies of two Acts of Congress of the 6. & 7. Instant, containing a List of the Officers in the Medical Department appointed by Congress under the new Arrangement of the Department” (LS, DLC:GW; LB, DNA:PCC, item 15). The enclosure details that on 6 Oct. Congress elected John Cochran the “Chief physician & Surgeon of the Army” and James Craik one of three “Chief hospital physicians” (DLC:GW; see also JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 18:908–10, and General Orders, 19 Oct.).

1Congress completed reorganization of the army’s medical department on 30 Sept. (see JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 18:876–88).

2Daniel Jenifer (1756–1809) matriculated at the College of New Jersey. He entered Continental service in 1776 as a surgeon’s mate and became hospital physician and surgeon in October 1781 (see JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 21:980–81). Jenifer served until October 1782 and later married Craik’s daughter. His uncle was the prominent Maryland political figure Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer.

3Andrew Craigie (1754–1819) entered Continental service as apothecary general in 1777. Congress named him apothecary for all Continental army hospitals in October 1780. He served until November 1783 and then settled in Cambridge, Mass., where he became a philanthropist and unsuccessful speculator.

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