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From George Washington to Thomas Jefferson, 5 November 1779

To Thomas Jefferson

Hd Qrs West point Novr 5: 1779

sir

I would take the liberty of addressing a few lines to Your Excellency, respecting such of the Officers and privates of Blands and Baylors Regiments of Dragoons and of Harrisons Artillery, as belong to the state of Virginia. Their situation is really disagreable and discouraging; and it is perhaps the more so, from its being now almost if not intirely singular. It is said, that under the idea of their not having been originally a part of the Troops apportionned on the State in September 17761—the State provision of Cloathing and bounty for reinlisting their Men, is not to be extended to them—or at least that it is a doubtful point. This is the source of great uneasiness and indeed of distress among them; and it is the more felt, as most of the States, since the Resolution of Congress of the 15th of March last, of which I have the honor to transmit Your Excellency a Copy—have made no discrimination between Officers and Men belonging to them, in the same predicament—and those who were explicitly assessed on them—as their Quota, under the first mentioned Resolution; but on the contrary have permitted them to participate in every benefit and emolument granted Others of their Troops.2 The Regiments of Artillery & Cavalry which in the whole amount to Eight as well as Many Companies of Artificers and Other Corps—have never been apportionned in a particular manner on the States, so as to shew the exact proportion of Officers & Men which each should furnish; but being absolutely essential to the public service, as they must be so long as the War continues, they have been raised in a promiscuous manner; and if the point was ascertained, it is highly probable the proportion from each State, would be found not very unequal. I have mentioned this circumstance that the Officers & Men of the State in these three Regiments, may not be considered as a Quota furnished, over & above what is done by the Rest of the States. And I would take the liberty farther to observe—that as several of the Regiments of Infantry apportionned on the State by the Resolution of Septr 1776, have been reduced, a circumstance which has not taken place with respect to the Regiments of Most Other States—there appears to me the more reason, for the benefits of Cloathing and bounty granted by the State, being extended equally to them with any Other of her Troops. They share with them in every danger—and in every burthen—both at home and abroad—and it seems but equitable that they should partake of every benefit. The terms of service for which the Men of these three Corps were engaged are expiring every day—and if it should be the pleasure of the State to give the Men in them belonging to it—the encouragements & benefits they have granted to their Infantry Regiments—the sooner the point is determined the better.3 I have the Honor to be with the greatest respect & esteem Yr Excellency’s Most obed. st

G.W.

Df, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1For the resolution that Congress adopted on 16 Sept. 1776, see JCC, description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends 5:762–63. The act assigned fifteen battalions to Virginia.

2The congressional resolution of 15 March 1779 placed under state quotas “all officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers, now belonging to the corps of light dragoons, and artillery and infantry, and the corps of artillery artificers, commissioned and inlisted since the 16 of September, 1776, for three years, or during the war, or which shall hereafter be so commissioned and inlisted” (JCC, description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends 13:317; see also John Jay to GW, 15 March, and n.1 to that document).

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