George Washington to John Sullivan, 4 April 1781
To John Sullivan
New Windsor April 4th 1781.
Dr Sir,
Inclosed are my remarks on the report you were pleased to transmit me—They are made pursuant to the request contained in your letter of the 9th Ulto—Where I have been unfortunate enough to differ in sentiment from the Committee I have, in as concise a manner as I was able, assigned my reasons for it; if there is weight in them, I have no doubt of their being attended to—if there is not, it would be improper they shd—My principl wish is a speedy decision.1
I have been favoured with your letter of the 27th past giving an acct of Genl Greenes action with Ld Cornwallis—I thank you for it—I have since heard from Genl Greene2—& wish the Southern States may not be in a perilous situation—reinforced as the Enemy are by 15 or 1600 Men under Genl Philips.3 With great esteem & regard I am Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt
Go: Washington
ADfS, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. GW enclosed his Remarks on a Congressional Committee Report, 3 April; see also Sullivan’s second letter to GW, 9 March. The congressional committee submitted a revised report on 9 May that Congress adopted on 25 May (see , 20:491, 539–42; see also GW to Sullivan, 11 May, DLC:GW).
2. Sullivan’s letter to GW dated 27 March has not been found, but it apparently commented on the Battle of Guilford Courthouse (see Nathanael Greene to Samuel Huntington, 16 March, printed as an enclosure with Greene to GW, 17 March).
3. For the expedition to Virginia under Maj. Gen. William Phillips, see Elias Dayton to GW, 9 and 15 March.