Washington, George. Manuscript letter signed, to General Arthur St. Clair, 15 January 1781

WASHINGTON, GEORGE

MANUSCRIPT LETTER SIGNED AS COMMANDER OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY ("GO: WASHINGTON"), TO MAJOR GENERAL ARTHUR ST. CLAIR, EXPRESSING APPREHENSION ABOUT THE MUTINY OF THE PENNSYLVANIA LINE

2 pages (8 7/8 x 7 1/4 in.; 229 x 187 mm) on a sheet of laid paper, body of the letter in the hand of David Humphreys, "Head Quarters New Windsor," 15 January 1781; a few light stains.

"this unhappy affair": Washington writes concerning the Mutiny of the Pennsylvania Line, one of the most serious, if little known, crises of the American Revolution. On 1 January 1781 over one thousand Pennsylvania enlisted men, disenchanted with deplorable conditions and poor pay, formed and marched from their headquarters at Jockey Hollow, near Morristown, New Jersey, under the sergeants. The disaffected troops occupied Princeton while considering marching on Congress, sitting in Philadelphia, to demand release from their enlistments. The troops were represented by a "Board of Sergeants" that negotiated with Congressional representatives. The two sides eventually reached a preliminary agreement, but that was not known to Washington, who was preparing to use force in the form of a detachment of New England troops when he wrote this letter. As a senior Pennsylvania officer, St. Clair had been peripherally involved in the negotiations. By month's end, good order had been restored.

"I have duly received your favor of the 11th together with one from the Committee of Congress of the 9th Inst. as I had just dispatched an Express to you, with my Letter of the 12th. I have detained your Messenger untill this time, in expectation that something so decisive would have turned up, as might have fixed the line of conduct which we ought to pursue.
"But nothing new having come to my knowledge, which could give sufficient ground for determination, since my last, I can only refer you to it. The Detachment shall be held in readiness till I hear from you, which I anxiously expect every Moment. Indeed nothing can be of greater importance, than to communicate with the utmost rapidity, every incident that may happen, during the continuance of this unhappy affair."

LITERATURE:
The Writings of George Washington, ed. Fitzpatrick, 21:99–100

PROVENANCE:
Charles Hamilton Galleries, 14 September 1972 (undesignated consignor)

Condition Report:
2 pages (8 7/8 x 7 1/4 in.; 229 x 187 mm) on a sheet of laid paper, body of the letter in the hand of David Humphreys, "Head Quarters New Windsor," 15 January 1781; a few light stains.

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