George Washington. One-page letter signed "G. Washington", datelined "Morristown May 19, 1777", reads "Sir, This will be delivered you by Monsieur Colerus, who is to fill a Majority on Colonel Hazen's Regiment, under your immediate command. This gentleman's conduct, I think, will promote the service and do honor to himself. Monseur Colerus' rank is to be governed by the date of his commission, and the rules for adjusting rank in American Army. I am Sir, Your most obdt. sevt.", docketed on back, expertly silked

A RARE REVOLUTIONARY WAR LETTER SIGNED BY GEORGE WASHINGTON AS COMMANDER IN CHIEF OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY.

The Papers of George Washington (Revolutionary War Series, 9, pp. 320 and 470-471) available at http://www.consource.org contain two letters relating to Monsieur Colerus. The first, dated May 1, 1777, is from Colerus who states "It is very unhappy, that with the sincerest desire to be useful to my Country, I see myself so forgotten. I am neglected. the whole world knows your equity, how will they Judge of me?...Please to grant me the testimony that I deserve, since I am in the Continental service." A second letter in the correspondence, dated the same as the one offered here and to Monsieur Colerus, states "It has always been my wish and design, that you should be provided for, so soon as you acquired a competent knowledge of our language, to make you fit for Command, and Circumstances would admit. When you were here last, I told you, I should try to place you in some Corps, as you seemed uneasy at your situation, and expressed a desire of being immediately in Service....There is now a vacant majority in Colo: Hazen’s Regiment at Princeton under the command of Lieutt Colo. Antill, which you may have immediately by repairing to it, and which you will do. Should this appointment, be not equal to your views, I have no other in my power; And I would further observe, that if you will take a calm, dispassionate view of things, you cannot expect more, upon any principle of reason or justice. I might add, without any disparagement to your merit, that there are many good Officers in the Service and who have been in it, from the commencement of the War, who have not received such Honorable marks of favor and distinction."

Image Magnifier / Download

Power Search for Comparables