General Orders, 16 March 1780
General Orders
Head-Quarters Morristown thursday March 16th [1780]
Parole Yawn— C. Signs Zany. Zaffer.
The General congratulates the army on the very interesting proceedings of the Parliament of Ireland and of the Inhabitants of that Country which have been lately communicated; not only as they appear calculated to remove those heavy and tyrannical oppressions on their trade but to restore to a brave and generous people their ancient Rights and Freedom and by their operation to promote the cause of America1—Desirous of impressing on the minds of the Army, transactions so important in their nature, the General directs that all fatigue and working parties cease for tomorrow the 17th, a day held in particular regard by the People of that nation—At the same time that he orders this,2 he persuades himself that the celebration of the day will not be attended with the least rioting or disorder—The officers to be at their quarters in camp and the troops of each state line are to keep within their own encampment.3
Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. GW undoubtedly is referencing newspaper items such as this extract from a letter dated 17 Nov. 1779 and printed in The Pennsylvania Packet or the General Advertiser (Philadelphia) for 24 Feb. 1780: “The Parliament of Ireland have acted with a degree of spirit, that surprizes every body. On their meeting, instead of echoing back the Lord Lieutenant’s speech, as is usual, they in their address to the King, demanded a free trade in every respect; and if this is refused them, there is no doubt but that they will declare themselves independent. Between 50 and 60,000 men, have already formed themselves into independent regiments.” John Hobart, second earl of Buckingham, was then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. For GW’s recent attention to reports from Ireland, see his letter to William Livingston of 10 March, postscript, and n.5.
In a letter written at Morristown on 17 March, Brig. Gen. Henry Knox observed to Maj. Gen. William Heath: “The affairs of Ireland will be a pretty addition, to the embarrassment of England and will I hope produce a speedy peace for America” (MHi: Heath Papers).
2. Adj. Gen. Alexander Scammell’s orderly book entry for this date includes additional text at this place that reads: “as a mark of the pleasure he feels on the occasion” (orderly book, 17 Oct. 1779–22 March 1780, DNA: RG 93, Orderly Books, 1775–1783, vol. 33).
3. GW is acknowledging St. Patrick’s Day, a Catholic feast celebrated on 17 March to commemorate the patron saint of Ireland.
Sgt. Ebenezer Parkman, Jr., who served with the artificers at Morristown, wrote in his diary entry for 18 March: “St Partricks Day Observd by Some of Our Officers to a very high Degree and in a Notorious Manner” (MWA: Parkman Family Papers).