To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 20 August 1778
From Henry Laurens
[Philadelphia] 20th Augt [1778]
Sir
I had the honor of writing to Your Excellency this Morning by Burwell and late the present Evening of receiving Your Excellency’s dispatches by Captain Riley.1 These shall be presented to Congress tomorrow. Inclosed with this will be found a Report of a Committee on Your Excellency’s letter, relative to Baron Steuben, which Congress request Your Excellency will take under consideration, and return it as speedily as the case will admit of, together with Your Excellency’s opinion on the several parts, and any amendments or additions which shall appear to be necessary.2 I am with great Respect &c.
P.S. Baron Arndt has obtain’d from Congress leave of absence for twelve months.
LB, DNA:PCC, item 13. A note on the letter-book copy indicates that this letter was carried “by Colo. Boudinot.”
1. See GW’s first letter to Laurens of 16 August.
2. For the report of 20 Aug., which resolved that Steuben should be appointed “Inspector General of the Armies of the United States” with the rank of major general and described his duties and subordinate officers, see , 11:819–23. GW’s official letter to Laurens regarding Steuben was dated 26 July.