To George Washington from Samuel Huntington, 16 November 1780
From Samuel Huntington
Philadelphia November 16. 1780
sir,
Your Excellency will receive herewith enclosed, the Copy of an Act of Congress of the 10th Instant, respecting the Canadian Famalies residing in the State of New York; their Protection and future Support.1
Also the Copy of an Act of Congress of the 14th Instant, by which you will be informed of the Measures Congress have adopted respecting Colls Armand’s & Lee’s Corps, and the several other Subjects therein mentioned, in Consequence of your Letter of the 7th Instant.2
Your Excellency will please to note, that a return is to be made to Congress, of the Officers of the Engineering Department, including those of the Companies of the Sappers & Miners; and distinguishing Such as in your Judgement it will be necessary to retain in the Service.3 I have the Honor to be with the highest respect your Excellency’s most obedient and very humble Servant
Sam. Huntington President
LS, DLC:GW; copy, DNA:PCC, item 15.
1. Huntington enclosed a congressional resolution that approved GW’s order to “Brigr General Clinton to supply the Canadian families residing in the State of New York with a ration for each Individual; And that the Governor of the said State be requested to cause an enquiry to be made into their circumstances to take them under his protection and to give them such further assistance at the expence of the United States as he shall judge necessary” (DLC:GW; see also , 18:1042; GW to Huntington, 1 Nov.; and Huntington to George Clinton, 16 Nov., in , 16:342–43).
2. Huntington enclosed congressional resolutions adopted on 14 Nov. that authorized GW to incorporate “the remainder of the men of the late brigr general Pulaski’s legion & as many of the Officers as there are vacancies for into Colo. Armands corps; and that a return be made to the board of war of the deficiency of that corps that measures may be taken to compleat it according to the late establishment: and that Lieut. Colo. Lee make a return of the deficiency of his corps for the same purpose.” Directions followed for a return of officers in “the engineering department including those of the companies of Sappers and miners” to facilitate their “equal establishment with the Officers of the line” or reduction. Another resolution “recommended to the legislatures of the respective States by whom it hath not already been done to inflict capital punishment on all such persons as shall directly or indirectly supply the enemy with provisions or military or naval stores; And that the most effectual measures be adopted by the respective States for the vigorous execution of such laws” (DLC:GW; see also , 18:1051–53, and GW to Huntington, 7 Nov.). For the Continental army’s new establishment, see General Orders, 1 November.
3. GW replied to Huntington on 26 Nov. (see also n.2 above).