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Washington accepts the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Army...
Washington accepts the position of Commander-in-Chief of the Army...
Item # 701169
January 22, 1799
GAZETTE OF THE UNITED STATES & PHILADELPHIA DAILY ADVERTISER, Jan. 22, 1799 Certainly the most notable item is the page 3 letter signed in type: Go. Washington, in which he accepts the position of Lt. General and Commander-In-Chief of the United States Army.
It is a lengthy letter and Washington would hold this position until his death seventeen months later. He participated in the planning for a provisional army to meet any emergency that might arise, but avoided involvement in details as much as possible; he delegated most of the work, including leadership of the army, to Hamilton.
Within the letter Washington clarifies: "...I have finally determined to accept the commission of the Commander in Chief of the Armies of the United States; with the reserve only, that I shall not be called into the field until the army is in a situation to require my presence...".
Note that this letter is dated July 13, 1798 from Mount Vernon, published here over 6 months after it was written.
Four pages, some discrete archival mends at the margins, small binding holes near the spine affect text but not the Washington letter.
Note that this letter is dated July 13, 1798 from Mount Vernon, published here over 6 months after it was written.
Four pages, some discrete archival mends at the margins, small binding holes near the spine affect text but not the Washington letter.
Category: The 1600's and 1700's
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