To George Washington from Major General Alexander McDougall, 15 February 1781
From Major General Alexander McDougall
Philadelphia 15th Feby 1781.
Sir,
The times are So critical and the Subjects on which I shall have occation to write your Excellency are So important, that I have determined to do it under the Signature of Marcus. This will prevent many of the evil effects which have arisen to our Country from the miscarriage of Letters.1 My Compliments to your Lady. And Believe me to be, Sir, with great respect Your most Humble Servt.
ADf, CSmH. McDougall endorsed his draft: “by Genl Hand.” GW replied in the postscript of his 31 March letter to McDougall (NSchU: W. Wright Hawkes Collection of Revolutionary War Documents).
1. No letters so signed from McDougall to GW have been found. For stolen mails involving congressional delegates, see John Sullivan to GW, 2 Jan., and n.2.