George Washington to Brigadier General Jacob Bayley, 9 June 1781
To Brigadier General Jacob Bayley
Head Quarters New Windsor 9th June 1781.
Sir
I have recd your favors of the 14th 24th and 27th of May by Mr Vincent to whom I have delivered the pay of the St Francois Indians agreeable to the Rolls which were sent by him.1 It was not in my power to consider him as a Lieutenant—Indeed the number of Officers which had been already appointed were more than sufficient for so few Men.2 If you will make me a return by the first opportunity of the number of Indian Women and Children the Cloathier at Springfeild or Boston shall have orders to furnish them with a few Articles proper for them.3
You ought to be very careful of those persons who come from the enemy under the appearance of deserters, it is more than probable that some of them are spies.
I some time ago recd your favor of the 26th of February—on the subject of the claims of New York and Vermont; That matter is now before Congress, by whom it can only with propriety be discussed and settled.4 I am &.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Lewis Vincent received a warrant for about $4,457 “(N[ew] Emission)” on this date for “Pay & Subsistance of a Company of St Francois Indians” (Revolutionary War Warrant Book 5, 1780–1783, DLC:GW, ser. 5; see also Philip Schuyler to GW, 12 March 1780, and notes 3–4 to that document).
2. GW wrote Bayley another letter from headquarters on this date: “Lewis Vincent the Bearer of this tells me he hath had the Expectation of being paid as a Lieut. of the Corps of Indians—for whom he has received Pay—the Number of that Corps is so small that I could not by any Means allow pay for any more Officers than are inserted in the Pay Roll. he importunes me for the present of the Horse which he rides here—as I am unacquainted with his particular Deserts—I have referred him to you—& you will be pleased to give him the Horse if you shall think his Merits have intituled him to such Reward” (Df, in Jonathan Trumbull, Jr.’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW).
3. No return from Bayley has been identified.
4. Vermont boundaries and statehood had been, and remained, contentious issues in Congress (see , 17:448–52; see also Joseph Marsh to GW, 3 Nov. 1780, and n.1 to that document).