Sir: I am about revising my Accts. with the public from the beginning, in order to make a thorough digest of them for Settlement."1

In going over them, I find I have given credit for some advances with which I am not charged in the Acct. you sent me last; particularly 1000 Dollars paid to Colo. Tilghman Decr. 10th. 1781, and the like sum to Lt. Colfax the 7th. of Feby. following. On the other hand, it is not impossible but that I may have omitted credits which ought to have been given; I beg therefore you will let me know with precision the whole amount from all the Offices, of Monies charged to me, or others for my use, that I may be able to comprehend and draw the whole into one point of view.

I wish to know also, whether Genl. McDougall stands charged with a Sum in Specie in your Books, the Treasury Books, or Registers Office, with a Sum in Specie for Secret Services between the first of Jany. and middle of March 1779; and if such charge should appear, to what amount, and to whom paid for his use. This information is necessary in the liquidation of my Accts.

On the 27th Ulto. I requested to know whether I stood charged with any sum in your Books "between Feby. and May 1777; to whom it was paid, for what Sum, and the precise date.” I pray you to give me answers to these points by the first Post after this letter reaches you. I am etc.

92

The draft, also in the writing of Washington, is dated March 3.

"This "digest" was forwarded to the Treasury July 1, 1783.

02

From a photostat of the original kindly furnished by E. F. Bonaventure, of New York City.

1783]

BRITISH DEPREDATIONS

195

To GOVERNOR WILLIAM PACA

Head Quarters, March 5, 1783.

Sir: I have been honored with your Excellency's favor of the 21st of Febry, respecting the Depredations committed by the Enemy in the Chesapeak Bay; and have taken the Liberty to transmit a Copy of your Letter to Sir Guy Carleton. If the British Commander in Chief shall think proper to make me a Reply, his Sentiments shall be communicated to your Excellency as early as possible.

However to be lamented, such practices are, which you mention, yet I have reason to fear that similar Ones have been but too frequent on both Sides, and that Sir Guy may take this Occasion to enter into particulars of recrimination. For my own part, I sincerely wish, for the honor of humanity, that these Acts of uncivilized War, might wholly cease on either part

This being the first Occasion I have had to address your Excellency, I cannot omit to present you my warmest Congratulations on your Appointment to the Chief Seat of Government; a Circumstance, which, at the same Time that I assure myself it will prove very honorable to yourself, I am persuaded, will have a happy Influence on the State over which you preside, as well as upon the general Welfare of the United States. I am &c."

TO MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM HEATH

93

Head Quarters, March 6, 1783. Dear Sir: It is represented to me, that Capt. Day, of the 7th Massachusetts Regiment, is now, not only able to attend to his

"The draft is in the writing of Jonathan Trumbull, jr.

On March 3 Washington wrote briefly to Sir Guy Carleton, forwarding Governor Paca's letter. This draft is in the Washington Papers.

Duty in Camp, but that, his long absence, is considered in an unfavorable point of Light, by the Inhabitants in the part of the Country where he resides. As you will remember, the Appointment of Capt. Day to superintend and muster the Recruits at Springfield, was made in Consequence of his being supposed unfit for any Duty with the Army, I must request you to take the Trouble to examine into the State of facts; and if you should find he is capable of Service, that you will Order him to be relieved, and join his Corps immediately, unless you shall judge it is unnecessary to continue an Officer much longer at the post of Springfield to receive recruits, in which Case it would be hardly worth the Trouble of relieving him; and you will please therefore to give directions for him to repair to the Army, at some fixed Time, which should be as early as you think he can be dispensed with from the Mustering Service. I am etc.

PS. The Seal of this was broken to acknowledge the Receipt of yours of 22d feby. just now come to hand Colo Vose will give you all the Intelligence we have.**

GENERAL ORDERS

[MS. H.S.]

Thursday, March 6, 1783.

Parole Amsterdam. Countersigns Belfast, Calais.

For the day tomorrow Major Graham.

For duty the Ist. Massachusetts regimt.

AFTER ORDERS

Two Lime burners from each brigade to be sent to the public building tomorrow morning ten o'clock. They are to be employed in erecting a Kiln and burning Lime for finishing the building.

In the writing of Jonathan Trumbull, jr.

1783]

ACQUITTAL OF AN OFFICER

197

GENERAL ORDERS

Friday, March 7, 1783.

Parole Devonshire. Countersigns Essex, Frederick.
For the day tomorrow Major Morrill.

For duty the 7th. Massachusetts regiment.

At the General Courtmartial of which Colol. Micheal Jackson is president, Lieutenant Thomas D. Freeman of the 7th. Massachusetts regiment was tried "For riotous and ungentlemanlike behavior and for violently and feloniously breaking open Lt. Sampsons Chest, or opening it with a false Key, taking out his property and disposing of the same on the evening or night of the 29th. December last. For attempting to assinate Lt. Sampson on the evening of the 4th. of January last; and assaulting him in an ungentlemanlike and most malicious manner; also for breaking his Arrest.

The Court acquit Lt. Freeman of the several Charges exhibited against him.

The Commander in chief approves the sentence.

Lieutenant Freeman is released from his Arrest.

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS

Head Quarters, March 7, 1783.

Sir: While applications are making in favor of others, I cannot refrain from mentioning to Congress, the Case of Colo Armand, with respect to promotion. Justice to that Gentleman, obliges me to express the Esteem I have of him, as an intelligent, active and very deserving Officer; one who has been zealous in the Service of the United States, and who, I am persuaded, has expended considerable Sums for the Establishment

95

of his Corps and other ways, for which he probably 5 will not be reimbursed for some time, if he expects ever to be refunded. I take particular pleasure in pointing the Attention of Congress to Colo Armand, as his Character and Merits have gained my Respect; and his promotion, I think, may take place without Inconvenience, he [being among the oldest Colonels in the Service of the United States, and belonging to no district of them, never can be provided for under the] late Regulations for promotion adopted by Congress. With great Respect etc.96

TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS

Head Quarters, March 7, 1783. Sir: Repeated Applications have been made to me, in favor of Major Villefranche, and Capt L'Enfant, of the Corps of Engineers, for their individual promotion; and being again pressed upon me, by Major Genl Duportail, I take the Liberty, thro your Excellency, to submit to Congress, whether some general principles of promotion, applicable to this Corps, as well as others in the Army, might not be established, which may prevent the necessity of particular applications, and the Embarrassment of giving promotion out of its common Course.

The Gentlemen mentioned, are furnished with my Certificates, expressive of the Ideas I have entertained of their individual Merits and Services; which are such as, in my opinion, would entitle them to promotion, should Congress judge it

**The draft has the following, at this point, in the writing of Washington, “will be a considerable time out of if he."

In the writing of Jonathan Trumbull, jr. The words in brackets in the draft are in the writing of Washington, which ends "the Odinance of the of last."

Washington inclosed this letter to Congress in a brief note to Colonel Armand, dated March 7, under a flying seal, that Armand might read and forward it. "If it shall prove of any Service to you, It will afford me very particular Satisfaction." This draft is in the Washington Papers.