To George Washington from the Board of War, 4 October 1779
From the Board of War
War Office [Philadelphia] Octr 4th 1779
Sir
The Bearer Samuel Potts Esqr. is ⟨desirous⟩ of ⟨conferring⟩ with his Brother Mr John Potts on the Lines.1 His Brother is about taking his Departure for England. As his Request comes most properly within your Excellency’s Determination we have referred Mr Potts to you making no Doubt of your granting him what he requires if you can with Propriety. We believe Mr Potts entitled from his Character ⟨illegible⟩ Confidence the Situation of our Affairs will admitt.2 We have the Honour to be with the most sincere Regard & Respect your very obedt servants
Richard Peters
By order
ALS, PHi.
1. Samuel Potts (1736–1793), a justice of the peace and judge of Philadelphia County, Pa., was a son of ironmaster and merchant John Potts, founder of Pottsgrove (now Pottstown), Pennsylvania. His brother John Potts was a Loyalist who, at this time, resided in New York City. An iron manufacturer like his father, Potts owned an ironworks in Pottsgrove, and he and another brother, Joseph, operated an iron “slitting mill” in Pine Forge (Berks County), Pennsylvania. Potts’s brother Dr. Jonathan Potts was director of the hospital of the middle department of the Continental Hospital Department.
2. No response from GW or his aides has been found.