From George Washington to John Sullivan, 16 January 1781
To John Sullivan
Head Quarters New Windsor Janry 16. 1781
Dear Sir.
I was honored last Evening with Your favor of the 10th with a Postscript of the 11th Instant.1 Major Gen. St Clair will inform you of the reasons why I thought it imprudent to address my Dispatches in answer to your Letter[s] of the 7th and 9 immediately to You, he will also advise you of the Measures I had taken.2
It gives me great satisfaction to learn a final & cordial accomodation was like to take immediate effect. The decided & unequivocal step the Pennsylvanians have taken, by delivering up the Emissaries from Sir Henry Clinton, is a strong Mark of their attachment to the Cause of their Country, and detestation of the insiduous conduct of the Enemy. In addition to this, their respectful & Orderly behaviour in the whole course of the affair (except in the first instance)3 gives us reason to expect that they will return to their duty like faithful & good Soldiers.
I have the pleasure to inform you that the Army in this Quarter, amidst all their complicated sufferings & distresses for the want of Money, Cloaths, & frequently Provisions, continues still quiet. Congress will probably have advised You before this time of the Mode I have recommended for furnishing three Months pay immediately to the Army.4 And I cannot but flatter myself the United efforts of Congress & the States will be exerted to prevent by redressing the real grievances a repetition of similar or even more dangerous disturbances than those which hav⟨e⟩ happened in the Pennsylvania Line. I have the honor to be.
Df, in David Humphreys’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
2. See Continental Congress Committee on the Pennsylvania Line to GW, 7 and 9 Jan., and GW to Arthur St. Clair, 12 January.
3. For the initial events of the mutiny of the Pennsylvania line, see Anthony Wayne to GW, 2 January.