George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 21 March 1781
To Samuel Huntington
Head Quarters New Windsor 21st March 1781.
Sir
I returned to this place yesterday at Noon.1 I did not prosecute my intention of visiting Springfeild, as I wished not to be out of the line of communication from the Southward, on account of the important intelligences which may be hourly expected from that quarter.2
Give me leave sincerely to congratulate Your Excellency and Congress upon the completion of the Confederation of the United States—An event long wished for—which I hope will have the happiest effects upon the politics of this Country, and which will be of essential service to our cause in Europe.3 I have the honor to be with the highest Respect Yr Excellency’s Most obt and humble Servt
Go: Washington
LS, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DNA:PCC, item 152; Df, DLC:GW; copy, DNA:PCC, item 169; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. Congress read this letter on 26 March (, 19:311). Huntington replied to GW on the same date.
1. GW had returned from Rhode Island (see his letters to Alexander Hamilton, 7 March, source note, and to Rochambeau, 16 March, n.1).
2. GW anticipated news regarding the French and British fleets that had sailed to the Chesapeake Bay (see Destouches to GW, 8 March, source note, and GW to Lafayette, same date, n.2; see also GW to Huntington, 11 March). GW had intended to visit armament works and magazines at Springfield, Mass. (see his letter to Huntington, 13 Feb.).
3. GW responded to official notification that the Articles of Confederation had been ratified (see Huntington to GW, 5 March, and n.4).