From George Washington to Brigadier General William Smallwood, 7 January 1778
To Brigadier General William Smallwood
Valley Forge, January 7, 1778.
Dear Sir:
Learning that the Captured Brig contains a great quantity and variety, of officers baggage; and necessaries proper for them; many articles of which from the length of time I have been in the service and difficulty of procuring them at first, I stand much in need of, I shall be obliged to you for sending me, if to be had, the things contained in the Inclosed memm. I will pay the appraised value, or come in as a common purchaser at a public auction as shall be thought best. With sincere esteem and regard I am, etc.
P.S. I shall refer you to another Letter of mine written since the above, but still wish for the articles in the Inclosed List.1
, 10:274.
1. The enclosed list has not been found, but see Smallwood to GW, 15 Feb., and GW’s reply of 25 February. For details of the capture of the British transport brig Symmetry, see Smallwood to GW, 30 Dec. 1777, n.3.