Colonel Thomas Proctor to George Washington, 9 April 1781
From Colonel Thomas Proctor
Philadelphia April 9th 1781
Sir
It is with regret and pain that I have to sollicit your attention to a Subject which is of importance to me, and which nothing but the attachment I bear to my family would induce me to mention to my General.
I was early engaged in the present struggles of my Country, and I pursued your Excellency’s fortunes at periods which required fortitude and Constancy, and nothing has suported my Zeal more than a flattering hope, that in the execution of my duty I had merited your Excellencys approbation, and not wishing to abate from the original ardour with which I first engaged; I should still continue to persevere; did not the pressing calls of my family closely demand my attention and care.1
With a Cheirful acknowledgment of your goodness on every occassion; I pray your Excellencys Leave to Resign my Comission; and altho, I am sensibly affected at this step; from a recollection of your Excellency’s Paternal affection to all under your care, yet I have to assure you Sir, that when ever the good of America shall call for the Aid of her inhabitants it shall be my Ambition to hasten to the field, with disinterested chearfulness, and bear a part with my fellow Citizens, in their Righteous efforts, for Liberty, and Independence. Thus with unfeigned sentiments of regard for yr person; and desires for your future felicity, permit me the Honour to Subscribe my self Your Excellency’s Most Obedient and Devoted Humble Servant
Thos Proctor
P.S.
Sir
Inclosed are the Auditors Certificats that reside here, and I have requested my friend near Head Quarters, to be so obligeing as to procure a Certificate from the Auditor with the Grand Army, and present to your Excellancy in my behalf; which with the inclosed may shew, that I am not indebted to the State of Pensylvania, or to the United States, and not haveing the paymaster’s vouchers, occassioned by his absence to shew I am not indebted to the Regiment of Artillery Commanded by me,2 I here, beg my word of Honour to be accepted as my surety that I am not.3
I would personaly have waited on your Excellency, but for my present disability of body which I am labouring under for some time past, & has indeed prevented me. most respectfully I am Yours
Thos Proctor
ALS, DLC:GW. Proctor addressed the cover to GW at New Windsor.
GW replied to Proctor from headquarters at New Windsor on 20 April: “Your favor of the 9th did not reach me untill the 18th instant—I am sorry to find that the situation of your domestic affairs renders it necessary for you to quit the service— It always gives me pain to part with an Officer, but particularly so with one whose experience and attention has made him useful in his profession.
“I cannot in justice to you permit you to leave the Army without expressing my approbation of your conduct upon every occasion since you joined me in 1776—and wishing you success in the line of Life which you have now embraced.
“I have signified my acceptance of your resignation, which bears date the 18th inst. to the Board of War” (Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW; see also GW to the Board of War, 20 April).
Proctor’s resignation interested Capt. Samuel Shaw of the 3d Artillery Regiment, who wrote Maj. Gen. Robert Howe’s aide-de-camp Winthrop Sargent (also a captain in the 3d Artillery Regiment) from New Windsor on 21 April: “Hold up your head, my good fellow, there’s promotion in the wind. Procters resignation was yesterday accepted at Head Quarters—and Forrest, it is said, is seriously determined to follow the example of his principal. The reasons given by the former were, the situation of his private concerns, and some ill treatment (either supposed or real) from the president and executive of Pennsylvania, relative to the recruiting his regiment. If Forrest does resign, I think you stand fair for a majority” ( 322–23). For promotion concerns within Proctor’s regiment, see Joseph Reed to GW, 24 April, and n.1 to that document, and GW to Reed, 5–7 May.
1. Proctor and his wife did not have children until 1784, but he might refer to other immediate family (see also Proctor to GW, 5 July 1789, in 3:116–17).
2. No vouchers from the regimental paymaster related to Proctor’s resignation have been identified.
3. Proctor enclosed a certificate signed by Continental army auditor Joseph Howell, Jr., and dated 3 April 1781: “By the Accounts lodged in this Office there does not appear any charge of Public Money against Colonel Thomas Proctor commanding the Penna Regiment of Artillery” (DLC:GW). Continental army auditor James Johnston signed a certificate dated 20 April: “By the Accounts lodged in this Office there does not appear any Charge against Col: Thomas Procter of Artillery” (DLC:GW).
Proctor also enclosed a certification that two auditors for Pennsylvania signed at Philadelphia on 10 April to verify that no financial obligations remained on “Proctor’s Account” (DLC:GW).