Washington, George (1732-1799) 1st President of the United States; Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. Manuscript letter signed "G:o Washington" as Commander-in-Chief, one page, 8 x 12¾ in., Headquarters (Peekskill, NY), Aug. 3, 1780. Written in the hand of David Humphreys to Brig. Gen. Henry Knox: "Sir: I wish to be informed, whether what arms and accoutrements you have on hand, together with those in the Magazines capable of being put in repair in three Weeks; are sufficient to equip five thousand men; exclusive of the troops now on the Ground, who are destitute and must be supplied. If there are not Arms and Accoutrements to this amount, I beg you will give me the best information you can of the number in an hour after the receipt of this. I am, with great esteem your most obedient Humble Servant. G:o Washington." Condition is good to very good; written on laid, watermarked paper; fold repairs on verso; small areas of paper replacement; ragged edges, affecting the word "Brig." at lower left corner. Washington's signature, however, is large and bold and unaffected by the defects. A strong-content Revolutionary War-date Washington letter.
In a letter to Nathanael Greene, written the same day, Washington says, "Tomorrow if we are all ready to march we will begin to cross the [Hudson] River for Dobbs's ferry. You will therefore discontinue your preparations for the object that brought us here as it has ceased," and in General Orders issued the same day, he explains, "The Army having moved to the present ground in Consequence of the Enemy's dispositions to make a combined attack upon our Allies at Rhode Island, for the purposes of taking such advantages as their absence from New York might afford or obliging them to relinquish their intended Expedition; and the latter having apparently taken place, probably in consequence of the movement on our part, the Army will recross the river tomorrow to prosecute the original plan of the Campaign."
On the same day that Washington wrote this letter to Henry Knox, he also wrote a letter to Benedict Arnold, appointing him to the command of West Point. Estimated Value $15,000 - 20,000
U.S. Presidents
