Item 2: Letter from George Washington to Zebulon Butler (removed to Legal Box #1), 1780 December 29
Item — Box: 9, Folder: 2
Dates
- Created: 1780 December 29
Creator
- Washington, George, 1732-1799 (Person)
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Letter.
Condition Note:
Poor. General browning of paper, tattered edges, folds, and some tearage present.
Measurements:
13 ½ in. x 8 ¼ in.
Title:
N/A
Description:
The following letter, dated December 29, 1780, depicts military orders written by George Washington, the first president of the United States and commander of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, to Zebulon Butler, a lieutenant colonel during the same. The orders by Washington direct Butler to move the Connecticut militia out of the Wyoming valley as requested by Congress, and for them to be replaced by a Continental Army. This is occuring in response to a request by the people of the region to have an army present during a conflict between Pennsylvania and Connecticut settlers that is of neither side. Washington states that he is sending over a line of the New Jersey soldiers, commanded by Alexander Mitchell, and orders Butler and his men to join the Continental Army in the neighboring station. He concludes by stating that no men of Butler’s line may remain lest there be any suggestion that Washington is not following through by Congress’ resolve. He further instructs Butler to make Mitchell aware of any dependable characters in the valley in case of trouble. The letter mentions that those following Butler are of Ransom’s men, likely Samuel Ransom, a major during the Revolutionary war, whose father fell during the Battle of Wyoming.
Though no dates can be found for Alexander Mitchell, digital archives such as Harvey’s Lake History and The George Washington Papers on the Library of Congress offer insight into more biographical information on him.
The conflict between Pennsylvania and Connecticut is referring to the Yankee Pennamite Wars, 1769-1807, which were a three part conflicts waged between Connecticut and Pennsylvania were an attempt to resolve a dispute over the land in the upper regions of what is now Pennsylvania after King Charles II granted the land twice, once to Connecticut in 1662, and again to William Penn as he founded Pennsylvania in 1681. The states fought over the jurisdiction, which was ultimately decided during the Decree of Trenton, in 1782, where they granted the rights of jurisdiction to Pennsylvania. The years following the resolve of the conflict saw a great deal of attention to instating compromise acts, rightful governing committees, and redistribution of land claims and titles.
Location:
New Windsor
Transcription:
Head Quarters (sic) [headquarters] New Windsor 29 Decem[be]r
1780
Sir
The Hon[ora]ble the Congress having in order to re:
move [remove] all cause of jealousy and discontent between the
States of Pennsylvania and Connecticut, directed
me to withdraw the present Garrison of Wyoming,
and to replace them with troops from the Continental
Army not belonging to the line of Pennsylvania
or Connecticut or Citizens of either of the Said States;
I have for that purpose ordered Capt[ain]. Alex[ande]r. Mitchell
of the Jersey line to relieve you— You will; there:
:fore [therefore], upon his arrival, deliver up the post to him,
and march immediately with all the men at present
under your command and join the Army in the
neighborhood of this place.
I am well aware of the difficulty which
there will be of bringing away the men of Ran:
:om’s [Ransom’s] Company, but I trust and shall expect that
you will exert yourself to do it effectually,
because if they remain behind in any numbers,
it will seem like an intention to elude the
Resolve recited.
You will; before you march,
give
[Back]
give Capt[ain] Alex[ande]r Mitchell every necessary information respecting the Situation of the Country, and make him acquainted with those Characters upon whom he can depend for advice and intelligence in case of an incursion of the Enemy. I am Sir Your most obt [obedient] Servt [servant] Go [George] Washington
Colo[nel] Zebulon Butler
[Back]
give Capt[ain] Alex[ande]r Mitchell every necessary information respecting the Situation of the Country, and make him acquainted with those Characters upon whom he can depend for advice and intelligence in case of an incursion of the Enemy. I am Sir Your most obt [obedient] Servt [servant] Go [George] Washington
Colo[nel] Zebulon Butler
Creator
- Washington, George, 1732-1799 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu