From George Washington to Pierre Penet, 30 April 1778
To Pierre Penet
Valley Forge, in Pensylvania April 30th 1778
Sir,
I received, not long since, your polite & obliging favor of the 12th of November last, accompanied by your agreeable presents to Mrs Washington and myself, for which we beg you will accept our acknowledgements.1 It will I am perswaded2 enhance the pleasure you feel on the occasion to be informed, that the extra shoulder and sword knots are destined for Generals Arnold and Lincoln; Gentlemen, who were wounded, while rendering very distinguished services, in the last actions, between the Northern army and General Burgoyne’s troops.
With my sincere thanks for your polite expressions of regard to me, and wishes for the speedy and prosperous termination of the war in which we are engaged—and with assurances of real esteem—I have the honor to be Sir Your most Obedt Servt.
Df, in Alexander Hamilton’s writing (with insertions in GW’s writing), DLC:GW; earlier Df, in Hamilton’s writing, DLC:GW; two Varick transcripts, DLC:GW. GW enclosed this letter to Jean-Baptiste-Lazare Théveneau de Francy for forwarding. The draft for GW’s cover letter, which reads: “I take the liberty to inclose you a letter for Mr Penet, which I request your care in transmitting to him by the first proper conveyance. I congratulate you on the happy and interesting intelligence from France, which you will have no doubt heard, before this reaches you,” is dated 30 April (DLC:GW). Francy’s reply of 10 May, however, acknowledges GW’s “favour of the 1st instant” (DLC:GW).
1. On the later draft GW inserted the words “polite & obliging” into this sentence. GW had received Penet’s gifts by late March (see GW to James Lovell, 29 Mar.).
2. GW wrote the words “I am perswaded” on the later draft.