From George Washington to Brigadier General Enoch Poor, 14 December 1778
To Brigadier General Enoch Poor
H.Q. [Middlebrook, N.J.] 14 Decr 1778
Dr Sir
This morning Captn White handed me your favor of the 5th Inst.1
While I am willing to gratify your inclination in a visit to your family I could wish at the same time, that it might be as short as convenient2 with your affairs. It is by no means certain how long we shall continue inactive. It is expedient therefore to have as many as possible3 of the general and other 4 officers with the army this winter, least a small change in circumstances should render their presence indispensibly necessary. You will I am persuaded accommodate your stay to these sentiments.
The arrangement is not yet definitively settled, But I would imagine the officers, may be ordered to take their respective commands agreeable to the late arrangement; as I have no doubt of its being ultimately confirmed by Congress. I am Sir Your most hble servt
G.W.
P.S. I inclose you a news paper by which you will observe that Congress have confirmed the arrangement. It came to hand since writing the above.5
Df, in James McHenry’s writing, with corrections by GW, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. This letter has not been found.
2. GW wrote “as convenient.”
3. GW wrote “as many as possible.”
4. GW wrote “and other.”
5. Congress approved the Committee of Arrangement report on 24 Nov. (, 12:1154–60), and the Pennsylvania Packet (Philadelphia) reported the approval on 8 December.