Beschreibung:

WASHINGTON, GEORGE MANUSCRIPT LETTER SIGNED AS COMMANDER OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY ("GO: WASHINGTON"), TO MAJOR GENERAL ALEXANDER MCDOUGALL, CONCERNING THE LATTER'S COURT MARTIAL 2 1/4 pages (13 3/8 x 8 1/4 in.; 340 x 210 mm) on a bifolium (watermarked mw | dove and olive branch), body of the letter in the hand of David Humphreys, Philadelphia, 2 March 1782, address panel directed to McDougall at West Point marked "Public Service" and with a fine franking signature of Washington, reception docket by McDougall; some light stains, some fold separations (central fold almost completely separated) and minor marginal chipping, seal tear. "I hoped the Spirit of accomodating one another would have prevailed so far as to have prevented any trouble on that account." Washington here carefully councils Alexander McDougall, who, following a long-standing dispute, had been arrested for insubordination on the order of General William Heath Washington regretted that he had been unable to prevent the ill-will between two of his commanding officers and he can be seen in this letter as trying to act equitably to resolve the differences between his quarreling subordinates. After assuring McDougall that he has received and read his two most recent letters, Washington continues, "Altho the first order for holding the Court Martial for your trial directed the Court to assemble at West Point, yet by an after order of the same day (which, I am informed was regularly transmitted from the Orderly Officer[)] permission was given for it, to be holden at West Point, or some convenient place in its vicinity—This was done solely for the greater convenience of all concerned and I hoped the Spirit of accomodating one another would have prevailed so far as to have prevented any trouble on that account." The Commander in Chief also assures McDougall that he has directed Heath to be cooperative: "I have written to General Heath to cause copies of such returns and official papers to be furnished to you as may be necessary in the course of the trial by this means the difficulty on that head will be obviated." By the same token, Washington seeks a compromise from McDougall, who had requested that the minutes of a Council of War be placed in the public records: "It would be a matter of great concern to me that a practice should prevail of publishing to the world the opinions which are given in Councils of War, as I have always considered the transactions on such occasions to be under the inviolable sanction of secrecy and honor; however if you judge a Copy of the minutes of the Council of War, which was held on the 12th of September 1776 essential to your defence, I shall comply with your request; and have given directions to Colonel Varick my recording Secretary for that purpose." On the date in question, a Council of War at McDougall's headquarters in New York voted ten to three to concentrate the Continental Army around Fort Washington, effectively abandoning New York City to the British. The three dissenting votes were cast by generals Joseph Spencer, George Clinton, and William Heath In his diary, McDougall—himself an active member of the Sons of Liberty in New York—termed the three "a fool, a knave, and an honest, obstinate man." While Heath earned the least of McDougall's opprobrium, this event was evidently the cornerstone of their animosity. McDougall was acquitted on all but one minor charge. LITERATURE:The Writings of George Washington, ed. Fitzpatrick, 24:36–37Condition Report2 1/4 pages (13 3/8 x 8 1/4 in.; 340 x 210 mm) on a bifolium (watermarked mw | dove and olive branch), body of the letter in the hand of David Humphreys, address panel directed to McDougall at West Point marked "Public Service" and with a fine franking signature of Washington, reception docket by McDougall; some light stains, some fold separations (central fold almost completely separated) and minor marginal chipping, seal tear. In response to your inquiry, we are pleased