http://www.alexanderhamiltoninstitute.org/lp/Washington/electronic%20books/Volume%2011.htm (defunct)

To THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS

Valley Forge, May 12, 1778.

    Sir: I had the Honor to receive, in due time, your several favors of the 3d, 6th and 9th Inst., with the Papers to which they respectively alluded.

    After much consideration upon the subject, I have appointed Genl McIntosh to command at Fort Pitt and in the Western Country for which he will set out, as soon as he can accomodate his affairs. I part with this Gentleman with much reluctance, as I esteem him an Officer of great worth and merit, and as I know his services here are and will be materially wanted. His firm disposition and equal justice; his assiduity and good understanding, added to his being a stranger to all parties in that Quarter, pointed him out as a proper Person, and I trust extensive advantages will be derived from his command, which I could wish was more agreeable. He will wait on Congress for their instructions.

    As Lieut. Colo. Southerland, ²⁵ Major Agnew ²⁶ and Lieut. Poe, ²⁷ have only requested to go to Europe on Parole, It does not appear to me, that I can with propriety apply to Genl. Howe for their exchange. This would imply that they were Prisoners of War. Tho' their exchange is certainly the most desirable

[Note:Lieut. Col. Nicholas Sutherland, of the Forty-seventh Foot, British Army. ]

[Note:Maj. William Agnew, of the Twenty-fourth Foot, British Army. ]

[Note:Lieut. James Poe, of the Forty-seventh Foot, British Army. ]

mode of release, as it would relieve an equal number of our Officers from Captivity, yet I should be happy if a negociation for the purpose should commence on their part. Knowing that it would be our Interest to exchange all the Officers of General Burgoyne's Army if it could be done, I wrote Genl. Heath not long since, to take occasion to mention to them, that we should always be willing to accede to any equal propositions for that purpose, and would carefully convey their applications to Sir Wm. Howe or the Genl. who might command the British Army. I take the liberty to return their Letters, presuming that Congress may incline to give them some answer either directly or thro' Genl. Heath.

    In respect to Lieut. Colo. Dirk, ²⁸ I do not find that there is any necessity for granting the prayer of his Petition. We have already too many Officers, and I do not apprehend the interest of the States would be much promoted in his appointment. If he could make up two or three Companies, they would be of Prisoners and Deserters, who would most assuredly embrace an early opportunity to go off with their Arms and Cloathing. I am disposed to consider him as a man of some address and Policy, as he is aiming at a confirmation, in the line of the Army, by obtaining an appointment to a new Corps, of the rank which he had as a Division Qr. Master. Besides the impolicy of augmenting the number of Officers, where it is not really essential, such a promotion would give dissatisfaction, and I suppose there are few Officers if any, who formerly Commanded Mr. Dirk in the line of the Army, that would submit to his orders.

[Note:Lieut. Col. Jacob Gerhard Diricks (Dirks). He had been a captain in the Fourth Continental Artillery, but had resigned in July, 1777. Congress granted him a brevet of lieutenant colonel by a resolve of Nov. 5, 1778. President Laurens, in a letter to Washington of May 9, called him Lieutenant Colonel Dirks. ]

    The inclosed Copy of a Letter from Genl. Dickenson to me, will inform Congress of the Fate of the Continental Frigates in Delaware; a fate in the situation they were left, I had long predicted and which I had taken much pains to avert, by using every argument in my power to have them sunk. In that case their destruction would have been, at least, a work of time, difficulty and expence; and might have been perhaps prevented. About One O'Clock on Thursday I got notice of an intended move of the Enemy by water, and conjecturing the destination of it, had a Detachment under Genl. Maxwell (whose tour of duty it was) ready to march towards the Delaware by 4 O'Clock, but a heavy rain prevented their moving till next Morning.

    I have been happy in the exchange, and a visit from Lieut. Colo. Allen. ²⁹ His fortitude and firmness seem to have placed him out of the reach of misfortune. There is an original something in him that commands admiration, and his long captivity and sufferings have only served to increase, if possible, his enthusiastic Zeal. He appears very desirous of rendering his services to the States and of being employed, and at the same time does not discover any ambition for high rank. Congress will herewith receive a Letter from him, and I doubt not they will make such provision for him, as they may think proper and suitable.

[Note:Lieut. Col. Ethan Allen. ]

    I take pleasure in transmitting a Philadelphia Paper of the 9th which came to hand yesterday evening, containing a message from his most Christian Majesty to the Court of London, in consequence of the Treaty between him and these States, and his Britannic Majesty's address to the Lords and Commons &c. The Message is conceived in terms of irony and derision, more degrading to the pride and dignity of Britain, than any thing she has ever experienced since she was a Nation. It is not an actual declaration of War, but it certain must produce one. I have the honour &c.

    P.S. A great number of blank Oaths will be wanted. You will be pleased to order some by every Opportunity. ³⁰

[Note:In the writing of Richard Kidder Meade. ]