WASHINGTON, George. Letter signed ("G: o Washington") to Brigadier General Elias Dayton, text of the letter in the hand of Tench Tilghman, Washington's aide, Philadelphia, 28 January 1782. 2½ pages, folio (13¼ x 8¼ in), ink pale, scattered light stains, discreet repairs along folds, recipient's docket.
WASHINGTON, George. Letter signed ("G: o Washington") to Brigadier General Elias Dayton, text of the letter in the hand of Tench Tilghman, Washington's aide, Philadelphia, 28 January 1782. 2½ pages, folio (13¼ x 8¼ in), ink pale, scattered light stains, discreet repairs along folds, recipient's docket. WASHINGTON ORDERS DAYTON TO "PUT A STOP TO" "FLAGRANT ABUSES" COMMITTED UNDER THE COVER OF FLAGS OF TRUCE In the wake of the signal victory at Yorktown, Dayton, who fought in the action, returned to his post in Elizabethtown, New Jersey, a busy port on the very fringes of British held territory. In addition to these duties, he was ideally situated to oversee a small stable of spies or informants who circulated back and forth between the British stronghold in New York and the American outposts in New Jersey and New York. On the 12th, Dayton wrote the Commander-in-Chief on various matters including the plight of one of his spies, captured and confined by the British as an American deserter (see Fitzpatrick 23:428). Here, Washington particularly urges Dayton to be alert for British troop movements that might signal a new offensive, and to end the illicit trade carried on by boat from Elizabethtown, under flags of truce. "...I am of opinion with you that the most flagrant abuses are committed under the cover of Flags to and from New York, and am willing to adopt any measures to prevent a continuance of them. I have no papers with me but those of a late date, and therefore cannot refer to the instructions formerly given to you upon this subject. If I recollect them they were to put a stop to the practice of Flags going and coming at stated times, and to suffer no persons to go on board or to land from the Boats except those who have proper passports. All letters to be delivered to the Officer on Guard at Elizabeth Town. If you think this mode or one similar to it will answer the purpose, you will carry it into execution and try the effect." He discusses the resignations of several officers in Dayton's brigade, and instructs Dayton to send troops to relieve a troubled garrison in Wyoming (subject to conflicting territorial claims of Connecticut and Pennsylvania.) Washington cautions the officer to observe strict neutrality: "I had heard that there was some uneasiness in the Company stationed at Wyoming, and had determined to relieve it. You will therefore order up a relief as soon as the troops are Cloathed. I have no new instructions to the Officer who is to go upon the command. He will call upon Capt. Mitchell [Alexander Mitchell] for those given to him and follow them. You may give him this general caution, to confine himself to his military duty and avoid intermeddling in the politics of Pennsylvania or Connecticut.." Published in Fitzpatrick 23:466-467.
WASHINGTON, George. Letter signed ("G: o Washington") to Brigadier General Elias Dayton, text of the letter in the hand of Tench Tilghman, Washington's aide, Philadelphia, 28 January 1782. 2½ pages, folio (13¼ x 8¼ in), ink pale, scattered light stains, discreet repairs along folds, recipient's docket.
WASHINGTON, George. Letter signed ("G: o Washington") to Brigadier General Elias Dayton, text of the letter in the hand of Tench Tilghman, Washington's aide, Philadelphia, 28 January 1782. 2½ pages, folio (13¼ x 8¼ in), ink pale, scattered light stains, discreet repairs along folds, recipient's docket. WASHINGTON ORDERS DAYTON TO "PUT A STOP TO" "FLAGRANT ABUSES" COMMITTED UNDER THE COVER OF FLAGS OF TRUCE In the wake of the signal victory at Yorktown, Dayton, who fought in the action, returned to his post in Elizabethtown, New Jersey, a busy port on the very fringes of British held territory. In addition to these duties, he was ideally situated to oversee a small stable of spies or informants who circulated back and forth between the British stronghold in New York and the American outposts in New Jersey and New York. On the 12th, Dayton wrote the Commander-in-Chief on various matters including the plight of one of his spies, captured and confined by the British as an American deserter (see Fitzpatrick 23:428). Here, Washington particularly urges Dayton to be alert for British troop movements that might signal a new offensive, and to end the illicit trade carried on by boat from Elizabethtown, under flags of truce. "...I am of opinion with you that the most flagrant abuses are committed under the cover of Flags to and from New York, and am willing to adopt any measures to prevent a continuance of them. I have no papers with me but those of a late date, and therefore cannot refer to the instructions formerly given to you upon this subject. If I recollect them they were to put a stop to the practice of Flags going and coming at stated times, and to suffer no persons to go on board or to land from the Boats except those who have proper passports. All letters to be delivered to the Officer on Guard at Elizabeth Town. If you think this mode or one similar to it will answer the purpose, you will carry it into execution and try the effect." He discusses the resignations of several officers in Dayton's brigade, and instructs Dayton to send troops to relieve a troubled garrison in Wyoming (subject to conflicting territorial claims of Connecticut and Pennsylvania.) Washington cautions the officer to observe strict neutrality: "I had heard that there was some uneasiness in the Company stationed at Wyoming, and had determined to relieve it. You will therefore order up a relief as soon as the troops are Cloathed. I have no new instructions to the Officer who is to go upon the command. He will call upon Capt. Mitchell [Alexander Mitchell] for those given to him and follow them. You may give him this general caution, to confine himself to his military duty and avoid intermeddling in the politics of Pennsylvania or Connecticut.." Published in Fitzpatrick 23:466-467.
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
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