George Washington Papers

Major General Benjamin Lincoln to George Washington, 2 April 1781

From Major General Benjamin Lincoln

Hingham [Mass.] April 2d 1781

My Dear General

On my return from Rhode Island1 I found that a very considerable delay would attend the compleating our clothing for the recruits as ordered by the General Court which induced me to attempt as a temporary supply Hunting shirts & overalls in this I failed, as the Court was not sitting, from the want of powers in the supream executive2—But as there are a number of the recruits well cloathed they have been ordered first to march. I hope the delay will not be great as the General Court will soon meet and I have no doubt of their good disposition & attention to the army.

Of the levies I think your Excellency may be certain for the Majority of the people have complyed with the order of the court & having been classed, have procured their men they are too fully convinced of the necessity of filling up the army to suffer the delinquents to pass with impunity—The shades of disaffection which, prior to this happy event, appeared in some few instances are now dissipated.3 I have the honor to be My Dear General with the warmest esteem your Excelleny most Obedient servt

B. Lincoln

LS, DLC:GW, misfiled under 2 April 1780.

1Lincoln had commanded Massachusetts militia sent to Rhode Island (see his letter to GW, 1 March, and notes 3 and 4).

2For GW’s request that recruits be provided with clothes, see his letter to Lincoln, 21 February.

3GW acknowledged this letter when he wrote Lincoln on 21 April.

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