From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 23 July 1779
To George Washington
Williamsburgh July 23d. 1779
Sir
Your Letter of the 9th ulto. has been taken under Consideration, and I have now the pleasure to inform Your Excellency, that the report of the Board of Field Officers contain’d therein, meets with the intire approbation of the Executive of this State; I have therefore inclosed four blank Commissions, which it is requested You will be pleased to order to be filled up properly for the respective Officers intitled to them. I have been induced, Sir, to give You this trouble, lest any Mistake shou’d hereafter arise on Account of dating any of the said Commissions. I have the honor to be, with great respect Sir Your Most humble and Obedient Servant,
Th: Jefferson
RC (DLC: Washington Papers); in a clerk’s hand, signed by TJ. Endorsed: “Govr. Jefferson 23 July 79. Inclg. Blank Commissions. acknd. 10th.”
Washington’s letter to Governor Henry of 9 June is printed in Writings, ed. Fitzpatrick, xv, 244–5. The opinion of the board of field officers, dated 29 May 1779 (Tr, DLC: Washington Papers), enclosed in the letter to Henry, recommended revoking standing commissions and issuing new ones to John Allison, John Lee, William Brent, and Thomas Meriwether to clear up a confusion in rank in the Virginia regiments. The blank commissions were filled in and given effect in Washington’s general orders issued 24 Aug. 1779 (Writings, ed. Fitzpatrick, xvi, 168).