George Washington Papers

To George Washington from the General Officers, 7 January 1778

From the General Officers

Camp [Valley Forge]
Janry 7th, 1778.

May it please your Excellency

The Officers of the Army being fixed to this particular Camp, are not in a Situation to procure many Articles, wch would be very necessary for them; And being informed that in the Vessell taken from the Enemy by Genl Smalwood there were a number of such Articles, which would be of more Utility to the Officers than to any other part of the Community; & being apprehensive that if they should be transported to Lancaster, or any other remote part, they may be squandered away, or improperly distributed among such Branches of the Army, as will lea[s]t contribute to the Good of the Service. Confiding therefore in your Excellency’s Benevolence & paternal Care, we humbly beg that they may be ordered to the Neighborhood of this Camp, or otherwise disposed of as to your Excellency shall seem fit.1 Wch Instance of your Favor will add to the many Obligations already conferred upon your very Obdt humble Servants.

Wm Maxwell J. M. Varnum
H. Knox G. Weedon
Lachn McIntosh Chs Scott
Jno. Paterson Enoch Poor

LS, DLC:GW.

1For GW’s order regarding this matter, see his first letter to William Smallwood of this date; see also Smallwood’s reply of 10 January.

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