To George Washington from Brigadier General Thomas Conway, 16 November 1777
From Brigadier General Thomas Conway
Camp [Pa.] the 16th November [1777] in the evening
sir
I Begg Leave to observe to your excellency that I am in actual service in france, that I have not a furlow of two years as the artillery officers and engineers have obtained, that a Longer stay in this country will much endanger my rank and my hopes of promotion in france. congress is not a stranger to my generous Way of acting with Mr Deane, and I am pretty sure will have no objection to my Departure. Therefore, sir as I have not been able to collect my effects which I found much Damag’d and Dispers’ed in Easton Reading, and Bethleem, I pray your Excellency will be so Kind as to grant me Leave of absence During ten or twelve Days for that purpose. although I Leave the continent I shall ever cherish the cause for which I fought, and if the plan I Sent to congress is accepted, I hope I will serve the cause more effectually in another part of the World. I am sir with much respect your Excellency’s Most obedt humble servant
Ths Conway
ALS, DLC:GW.
GW’s secretary Robert Hanson Harrison drafted a reply to this letter in his own name on this date: “I have it in command from his Excellency to inform you in Answer to your favor of this Evening, that he is willing to grant you leave of Absence for the time you ⟨re⟩quest” (DLC:GW).