George Washington Papers

To George Washington from Benjamin Lincoln, 2 March 1784

From Benjamin Lincoln

Hingham [Mass.] March 2d 1784

Dear sir

Since I was honored with the receipt of your favor of [ ]1 this State society of the Cincinnati have had a meeting & have made choice of General Knox Genl Putnam Colo. Cobb Colo. Hull & Majr Serjeant to represent them in the General Meeting to be held at Philadelphia on May next. they are notified to attend I expect that two or three or more will have the pleasure of meeting your Excellency then—Our Citizens seem alarmed at the constitution of the Cincinnati & our General Court have the matter now under consideration.2 I will do my self the pleasure of communicating to your Excellency their doing. With great esteem I have the honor to be your Excellencys most ob. servant

B. Lincoln

ALS, DSoC.

Benjamin Lincoln (1733–1810), a native of Hingham, was made major general in the Continental army in February 1777. Lincoln served with GW before being given command of the American army in the southern department in 1778. He surrendered his army at Charleston in May 1780 to Henry Clinton but was exchanged in time to participate in the Yorktown campaign in October 1781. From 1781 to 1783 he was secretary at war for the Congress. In 1787 he led the army that put down Shays’ Rebellion.

1GW’s “favor” to Lincoln was his circular letter of 28 Dec. 1783. See GW’s circular letter dated 1 Jan. 1784.

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