1From George Washington to Lieutenant Vachel Burgess, 16 August 1779 (Washington Papers)
I received Your Letter of this date and am ⟨exceedingly⟩ sorry to find, that no arrangement that can be made whatever pains may be taken to effect it, can give general satisfaction. I wish you to consider the nature of your application—An Officer should not leave the service at least ⟨not⟩ at this time without the most powerful and cogent reasons. I do not know the Gentleman of whose promotion...