1. Huntington enclosed copies of two undated petitions: one from Continental army auditor Alexander Fowler and twenty-five other Pittsburgh residents to Joseph Reed and the Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council, and the other from “the Principal Inhabitants of the County of Westmoreland and Town of Pittsburgh,” also to Reed and the council (both DLC:GW, filed under 9 May). The petition from Fowler et al. expressed alarm that Col. Daniel Brodhead had assumed “authority to Exercise military power over this Town, which he conceives he has a Right to do, within the round of his Patroles, In many cases he has actually exercised this authority taking away the property, confining the Persons of the Citizens, and ordering them to be tryed by a Court martial. We know well that the laws and Constitutions of our Country have fixed a precise boundary to the Military power. It is limited to those who are enlisted for the Service and under the Articles of War; it Cannot extend in the least degree to a Citizen.” The petition detailed several reasons for the grievance against Brodhead and then observed: “Some of us have left our habitations to avoid the Scalping Knife, and Tomhack of the Merciless Savage, and have gain’d a Temporary Residence in this Town; We feel it peculiarly hard that we should be Supposed to have lost our Rights to the laws of our Country, at the same Time With our Possessions, and in removing to a different part of the County of Westmoreland to hold our lives at the discretion of Military Power.

“Having Represented these things, it is our prayer that his Excellency the President, and the Honourable the Council Will lay this motion Before Congress and induce them to direct his Excellency Genl Washington to Remove Colo. Brodhead from this Command, and give such Orders to the Succeeding officer at this Post, Whoever he may be, as Will Restrain him from such invasions of the rights of the Citizens. If it Should be said that this Will be unnecessary as the laws of the Country and the Courts of Justice Will Support every Individual against the Encr[o]achments of military power We beg leave to Observe that it is not easy, but gives infinite trouble, & is almost impossible to obtain Redress by law against a Commanding Officer Who can confine in his Guardhouse from which even the posse commitatus cannot set at liberty, and who if he pleases to avoid an arrest Can be secure Within the Cannon of the Fort, and Surrounded by his Guards” (see also Kellogg, Frontier Retreat description begins Louise Phelps Kellogg, ed. Frontier Retreat on the Upper Ohio, 1779–1781. Madison, Wis., 1917. description ends , 360–63, and Huntington to GW, 2 June, and n.1).

The petition from Westmoreland County, Pa., and Pittsburgh inhabitants extended complaints about Brodhead to “Mr David Duncan the Assistant to the Deputy quarter master of this State.” The fourth allegation in a list of seven charged him with being “a Jobbing quarter master” who “is favoured and indulged; and we have great reason to suspect that publick money is not appropriated to the purposes intended. …

“Hence, under the specious pretext of publick good private pursuits are accomplished, some of which we have been informed, your Excellency and the Honorable the Executive Council, are not altogether unacquainted with. …

“Little did your Petitioners ever imagine that in the Course of a war undertaken in defence of their Common rights, the Charecter of the Citizen should so soon become sunk in that of the Soldier. The language of Complaint is painfull to us, but as an Illustrious Author observes, ‘Military Men belong to a profession which may be usefull, but is Often dangerous.’ The truth of this observation is evident. The annals of every nation in Europe afford melancholy examples. Even the American Revolution—Glorious and beneficial to mankind as it is—Has not terminated without being Shamefully tarnished with such proofs that we cannot even mention without indignation and Horror. Therefore the real and disinterested Friends of Freedom cannot be too tenacious of thier rights, too watchfull of their preveleges, or too Jealous of the Ambitious and Interested who attempts to invade them. …

“Duty to our Country, our Constitution and our Rulers and a regard for our rights, Franchises and Immunities has Induced us to address your Excellency and Council in Language which cannot we hope be displeasing, to which we beg leave to implore your attention. and Humbly Pray, That Colonel Brodhead may be removed from the Command of this Department, and Mr David Duncan from the employment of Assistant Quarter master as well as every other employment wherein he may be intrusted with Publick money. …

“N.B. The Inclosed List Contains the Names of the subscribers.” Fowler was among over 400 who signed (see also Kellogg, Frontier Retreat description begins Louise Phelps Kellogg, ed. Frontier Retreat on the Upper Ohio, 1779–1781. Madison, Wis., 1917. description ends , 363–70).

GW already had initiated an investigation into Brodhead’s conduct, and a court-martial eventually acquitted him on all charges (see GW to Brodhead, 5 May, and the notes to that document; see also Huntington to GW, 20 April, and n.1, and GW to Huntington, 7 June).