Lieutenant Colonel Richard Varick to George Washington, 25 May 1781
From Lieutenant Colonel Richard Varick
Albany May 25th 1781.
Sir
When I had the Honor of conferring with Your Excellency last, on the Subject of the confidential & pleasingly arduous Office tendered to me & heard Your Excellency’s Answers to my Objections, I put my Acceptance of the honorable Charge, on the Condition of procuring proper Persons under me for executing the Business in such Manner as to do ample Justice to the Public & not to disappoint Your Excellency’s Expectation or do Dishonor to myself.1 On which Subject I engaged to give my final Determination from this Place, after advising with Genl Schuyler thereon.
Genl Schuyler being at Saratoga, I have not been honored with his Advice in the Matter;2 however when I was at Poughkeepsie, I mentioned the Matter to Governor Clinton & requested his Opinion as to the Practicability of getting proper Assistance at that Place, he informed me that he could recommend at least two Persons who are capable & to be confided in, I believe I shall be able to engage the others in this Place or its Vicinity; on the proper Characters I will advise with Genl Schuyler, whom I expect to visit in the Morning.
I do therefore take this Opportunity of accepting the singular Trust so politely proferred to me & shall deem myself happy if my Services & Attention on this Occasion may be such as to merit Approbation & prove the Propriety of Your Excellency’s Choice.
I shall set out for Camp in very few Days, where I can be better informed how soon the Papers will be ready for Transcription & take Measures accordingly.3 I remain with Sentiments of Gratitude & great respect, Your Excellency’s Most Obedt & very Hble Servt
Richd Varick
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. See GW to Varick, this date.
2. New York state senator Philip Schuyler, who had employed Varick as military secretary, owned a country property in Saratoga and returned to his estate during the legislature’s recess in spring 1781 (see Schuyler to GW, 4, 9, and 14 May; see also , 3, 445–46).
3. For Varick’s arrival at GW’s headquarters in early June and for his clerk selections, see GW to Varick, this date, source note. Varick began active work as recording secretary the following month (see Varick to GW, 19 July, DLC:GW).