From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 1 March 1781
To Samuel Huntington
Head Quarters New Windsor. 1st March 1781
Sir
The inclosed memorial of Colo. Hazen was this day put into my hands. Many of the matters mentioned in it are better known to Congress than to myself. The whole are so fully stated, as to speak for themselves, and require only the determination of Congress.1
The case of the Canadian Officers and Soldiers I know to be peculiarly distressing and truly intitled to redress, if the means are to be obtained. The Regiment, not being appropriated to any State, must soon dwindle into nothing, unless some effectual mode can be devised for recruiting it.
Colo. Hazens pretensions to promotion seem to me to have weight, but how far they ought to be admitted, the general principles which Congress mean to adopt for the regulation of this important point will best decide; In justice to Colo. Hazen, I must testify—that he has always appeared to me a sensible—spirited and attentive Officer.2 I have the honor to be with perfect Respect and Esteem Yr Excellency’s Most obt Servt
Go: Washington
LS, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DNA:PCC, item 152; Df, DLC:GW; copy, DNA:PCC, item 78; copy, DNA:PCC, item 169; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. Congress read this letter on 23 March and referred it to a committee (, 19:297). For Huntington’s acknowledgement, see his letter to GW, 26 March (DLC:GW).
2. The committee reported to Congress on 20 April and that body then passed resolutions on the pay and clothing of Hazen’s regiment and recruiting it to its full strength. The committee also recommended Hazen’s promotion, but Congress did not immediately adopt that resolution (see , 19:427–29). After receiving a report from the Board of War, Congress promoted Hazen to brevet brigadier general on 29 June (see , 20:711–12; see also , 90–92).