To George Washington from Frederick Weissenfels, 27 March 1785
From Frederick Weissenfels
New York March 27th 1785.
Sir.
Your Exellencys favour of the 15th instant, With which I was honored, leaves my Mind in the most perfect tranquility, that I may Expect the honor to recieve your Certificate, when your Exellency is furnished with one from his Exellency Governor Clinton, Which I here inclose.1
The Governor has mentioned my derangement, from the Continental Line, and although no Date by him Citet, I beg leave to Say, that it wass in the year 1780, after I had without intermission Served from the year 1775, (When in Canada with the late General montgomorie,) to that Periode. as upon the Journals of Congress will appear, that I wass promoted by their authority to a Lt Colo. in the year 1776.
I have with Chearfulness So Early Complied with your Exel’cys request, and mentain a pleasing prospect on its return. I am with Sentiments of great respect Your Exellencys most obiedent most humble Servant
Fredk Weissenfels
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. The certificate that George Clinton gave Weissenfels has not been found, but GW wrote Weissenfels from Mount Vernon on 10 April: “Inclosed I give the certificate requested of me. If it shou’d conduce to your satisfaction, or be productive of any advantage to you—it will give me pleasure” (LB, DLC:GW). The text of the enclosed certificate was: “This certifies that Fred: Weissenfels Esqr. has served in the Foederal army of the United States of America from the year 1775 until the reduction which took place in the year 1780: that in the year 1776. he was promoted to the rank of Lieut: Colonel, & continued therein until the reduction above mentioned; after which (as a testimony of the good opinion entertained of him) he was appointed by the State of Nw York (in which he is a citizen) to command a regiment of State troops. That during the whole of this period, as far as his conduct came under my observation—& from the information of the General Officer under whose immediate command he served, he displayed a zeal, bravery & intelligence, which did honor to the military character—& in every respect has conducted himself as a Gentn & good Citizen. Given at Mount Vernon this 10th day of April 1785. G: Wn—late comr of the armies of the U.S.” (LB, DLC:GW).