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George Washington 1781 LS Re: PA Line Mutiny Aftermath: "the continuance of this unhappy affair"
George Washington 1781 LS Re: PA Line Mutiny Aftermath: "the continuance of this unhappy affair"
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George Washington
New Windsor, NY, January 15, 1781
George Washington 1781 LS Re: PA Line Mutiny Aftermath: "the continuance of this unhappy affair"
LS

A 2pp letter signed at its conclusion by future 1st U.S. President George Washington (1732-1799), then in his role as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, as "G:o Washington" on the second page near the bottom right. January 15, 1781. At "Head Quarters" in New Windsor, New York, where Washington oversaw military operations from Colonel Thomas Ellison's House near Newburgh. Inscribed on laid watermarked paper by Washington's secretary, David Humphreys (1752-1818). Expected wear including flattened transmittal folds and a few minor chipped edges. Isolated stains touching a few words nowhere near Washington's signature. Minor ink erosion in a few words found along the top horizontal fold. Else near fine. 7.325" x 9."

Washington addressed this letter to Major General Arthur St. Clair (1737-1818), a former Continental Army military commander who was currently stationed in Morristown, New Jersey. St. Clair was just one of many of Washington's sources for information about the unfolding Pennsylvania Line Mutiny and its subsequent negotiations. At the time that Washington's letter was written on the 15th, the actual mutiny had been quelled, but Washington was still anxious to hear about the results, as he feared possible spread. (Washington's apprehension was well-founded, as another mutiny broke out just five days later...)

In this letter, Washington reported that he had recently received a communication from St. Clair on the 11th; in this message, St. Clair had informed him that the mutineers had rejected General Sir Henry Clinton's proposal and that negotiation prospects looked favorable. In the intervening time between St. Clair's message from the 11th and his follow-up message on the 14-15th, Washington wrote St. Clair on the 12th assuring him that a 1,000-men detachment was formed and in reserve to send to New Jersey if necessary. This is the same "Detachment" that Washington mentions below.

Washington's letter reads in full:

"Head Quarters New Windsor
Jan.ry 15th 1781

Dear Sir

I have duly received your favor of the 11th together with one from the Committee of Congress of the 9th Ins:t as I had just dispatched an Express to you, with my Letter of the 12th. - I have detained your Messenger untill this time, in expectation that something so decisive would have turned up, as might have fixed the line of conduct which we might pursue.

But nothing new having come to my knowledge, which could give sufficient ground for determination, since my last, I can only refer you to it. - The Detachment shall be held in readiness, till I hear from you, which I anxiously expect every Moment. - Indeed nothing can be of greater importance, than to communicate with the utmost rapidity, every incident that may happen, during the continuance of this unhappy affair.

I am Dear Sir
With very great regard
Your most Obedient and Humble Servant

[signed] G:o Washington

Major Gen St. Clair."

Washington's letter shows a degree of uncharacteristic uncertainty, awaiting news as he was in order to formulate a decision. This differs from Washington's usually brisk and decisive briefs, and almost certainly testified to the amount of stress he was under. Part of Washington's discomfiture was due to problems with how information was conveyed. He clearly chafed that the messenger system - even one expedited by express riders - caused delays that interfered with swift decision-making. Washington's letter underscored the vital consequence of information: "Indeed nothing can be of greater importance, than to communicate with the utmost rapidity, every incident that may happen, during the continuance of this unhappy affair…"

This "unhappy affair" referred to the Pennsylvania Line Mutiny (January 1-January 10, 1781), which had begun on New Year's Day evening at Jockey Hollow, the Wick family estate, near Morristown, New Jersey. The 2,500 troops of the Pennsylvania Line had endured deplorable living conditions for a long time. Exhausted, cold, hungry, and most importantly, unpaid, some of the soldiers decided to take action. The line mutinied against General Anthony Wayne and prepared to march to Philadelphia to present its grievances directly before Congress. While not all of the troops revolted, it was a breach of military discipline that greatly alarmed Washington, who feared that other contingents would follow suit. Washington had decided in early January not to travel the 100-odd miles south to Princeton where the mutineers were temporarily stationed. Instead, he kept abreast of developments from New Windsor, supplied by a steady stream of reports delivered from St. Clair and other sources.

A mutiny in the Continental Army presented a remarkable opportunity to the British to press their advantage. British Commander-in-Chief in America General Sir Henry Clinton, then headquartered at Staten Island, dispatched an emissary, the Loyalist John Mason, and a New Jersey guide, James Ogden, to deliver a message to the Pennsylvania Line mutineers. The unhappy soldiers were offered everything they had requested of Congress, in exchange for switching sides. Clinton's gamble proved a miscalculation; the mutineers didn't want to turn-coat, they just wanted fair treatment. Clinton's emissaries were arrested, tried by a Continental Army military tribunal, and executed as spies on January 11, 1781.

The Pennsylvania Line mutineers met with the President of the Pennsylvania Council and terms were agreed, with arrangements wrapping up to mutual satisfaction on January 29, 1781. The Pennsylvania Line troops - many of whom had enlisted in 1777 or 1778 - could be discharged and reenlist, becoming eligible to receive enlistment bounties.

The Pennsylvania Line Mutiny was the most successful mutiny staged by Continental Army troops during the Revolutionary War, because the agitators actually achieved their immediate demands with relatively little bloodshed. The Pennsylvania Line Mutiny is in sharp contrast with the Pompton Mutiny in New Jersey of January 20, 1781. In this copycat mutiny, Washington immediately moved in with the military instead of allowing civil authorities to negotiate a resolution. The leaders of the Pompton Mutiny were summarily executed.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 7.325" x 9"
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