George Washington Papers

From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 26 December 1777

To Henry Laurens

Valley forge Decr 26: 1777

Sir

The reason of my troubling you at this time is to request that Congress will defer their decision on Genl Woodfords claim of rank for the present. I find that the Gentlemen affected by it are much averst to it, and therefore shall direct the whole to state their Objections, which I shall transmit by the earliest Opportunity, that Congress may be fully possessed of the subject and apprized of the difficulties involved in matters of this sort.1 I have the Honor &c.

G.W.

Df, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. Congress read this letter on 1 Jan. 1778 (JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 10:10).

1For an explanation of the dispute over Brig. Gen. William Woodford’s commission, see GW to Laurens, 1 Jan. 1778, n.8.

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