144. Washington, George. Revolutionary War-date autograph letter signed (“Go Washington”), 3 pages (7.5 x 9 in.; 191 x 229 mm.), front and back (page 3 on separate leaf), Cambridge, 28 January 1776. Written to Brigadier General John Sullivan, then at Winter Hill, Massachusetts [in close proximity to Boston]. Ten days prior to the date of this letter, Washington had determined that General Sullivan should request thirteen regiments of militia from neighboring New England colonies for a planned attack on Boston. Reinforced at folds; .75 in. paper loss on right margin of third page (missing two words), expertly infilled.

Just months before the Declaration of Independence, Washington calls the Minutemen into Continental Service

As the Continental military effort begins to take root in January of 1776, Commander-in-Chief George Washington calls the Minutemen into service – the best trained troops available to him – and it was imperative that they be compensated as such.

Washington writes in full:
Dr. Sir, I quite forgot to enquire last night (when you were showing me the Militia Pay Rolls) at what rates the Officers pay was charged - I am willing to allow them the same pay as the Troops here had, and have - that is, to the first of Jany. agreeable to the old Establishment - (More I cannot) - & for the Month of Jany. according to the present pay. This is putting of them in all respects upon a footing with the Continental Army. You will consider therefore how far this alteration will square with your mode of making up the Pay Rolls, as the manner of charging & extending the Sums shd appear clear upon the face of the acct. I must again desire you to request the Captains to be very correct in making up their Accts. not only because they are to Swear to them, but because I must for my own justification have all the extensions, & additions tryed. Should any of them, therefore prove wrong, they will not only give themselves a good deal of trouble & delay for nothing, but me also; and I must again desire that they may be caution’d against - including men that have inlisted into the Continental Service, as I will take a good deal of pains to prevent, and if not prevented, to detect an Evil, which I am apprehensive will be practiced. If I recollect the Roll you showed me last Night, Men of the same Company, and as I suppose from the same Town, are charged a different number of days, whereas I think the Ingagement is, that they are to be paid from the time of their Marching from the Town - however, as I was ingaged in Reading Letters & News Papers at the time, I might have Mistaken the Matter. As I understand the Muster Rolls of these Companies (from New Hampshire) are lodged with you [and I?] should be glad to receive them with your Acct. of the money expended. If the Mileage is drawn for in the manner proposed by you, the Comd should be apprized of it, as he told me some of the Militia Captns with out distinguishing of which Government, where applying to settle with him. I am Dr. Sr. Yr. Most Obedt. Servt.
G
o Washington
P.S. If you are not engaged I should be glad of your Company at Dinner at 2 o’clock.

The strength of the army in terms of manpower had become paramount during the month of January, as Washington had received word at mid-month that the Canadian army had been crushed in an assault on Quebec, a hastily planned offensive in which Benedict Arnold was wounded and Richard Montgomery killed.
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