Board of War to George Washington, 8 May 1781
From the Board of War
War Office [Philadelphia] May 8th 1781
Sir
The Board have been honoured with your Excellency⟨’⟩s Letter of the 26th Ulto inclosing a Representation from Genl Knox against breaking up the Post at Fishkill: These Reasons appear to be Sufficient to induce a Repeal of our Order on that Subject1 & are very different from the Ideas we had of the Matter from Representations made to us; by which it seemed to be evident that the Post, if kept up might be superintended by Officers detached from the Army, both of the Line & in the Department of Field Commissary, who it was Suggested would have been sufficient for the Purpose of a temporary Laboratory or other Branch of the Military Stores Department, without making it a Permanent Post & keeping up a Train of Additional Officers; & especially as the present Sett were not favorably Spoken of; Mr Ruddock particularly being mentioned as very much addicted to Drink. By some Mistake it was neglected to write both to your Excellency & Genl Knox on this Subject. We only meant to save Public Expence & get rid of useless Officers having no Idea of unnecessary Alterations. And as both Your Excellency & General Knox are of Opinion that the Post & its Officers are necessary, we readily Agree that both should continue.2 We have the honor to be with the greatest Respect Your Excellency’s very obedient Servts
Richard Peters
By Order
ALS, DLC:GW. GW acknowledged this letter when he wrote the board on 16 May.
1. For these items, see Henry Knox to GW, 23 April, and the notes to that document.
2. The board enclosed an extract from the minutes of its meeting on 7 May that repealed “a former Order” to discontinue “a fixed post” at Fishkill and discharge John Ruddock as commissary. The board instead ordered that “the Post be continued and the Officers remain in the Service of the United States” (DLC:GW).