To George Washington from James Duncan, Jr., 7 December 1782
Block House Sidmans Clove 7th Decr 1782
Sir,
I wrote your Excellency sometime last winter, but as I have received no answer, am inclined to believe the letter never came to hand. I am therefore (as I still conceive myself highly injured) once more reluctantly obliged to trouble your Excellency with my complaints. Shortly after the arrival of the Regiment at Lancaster, I obtained leave of absence from Genl Hazen for sixteen days, during which time the enclosed order was issued, which I beg your Excellency will please to puruse.
Your Excellency will the sooner perceive the injustice done me when you are informed, that the 6th 7th & 8th Captains Viz.: Goslain, Lee & Selin, who by this order are appointed to command Companies, are all three, younger Officers in the Regiment than myself. Thus am I, not excluded from the command of my own Company, but from any particular command in the Regiment, while three younger officers are appointed to the command of incorporated Companies. This being a true state of the case, I could not but think myself injured, and immediately upon my return applied to Genl Hazen for redress of grievance, but all to no effect; he told me that he had desired L. Col. Antill to make out the arrangement, that having seen it, it met his approbation, nor would he make any alterations for the present. I have often since repeated my applications, but have met with nothing but insult added to injury. It is now nearly a year since I have been there, most unwarrantably deprived of my Company and finding still that Genl Hazen has no disposition to do me justice, but rather inclined to continue his persecution, and not being able to obtain redress of greivance elsewhere I am thus reduced to the necessity of prefering this my Complaint. I hope your Excellency will pardon the intrusion and beleive me with every sentiment of respect and esteem Your Excellency’s obedt mo. hume servt
James Duncan Capt.
B. Genl Hazen’s Regt
DLC: Papers of George Washington.