To George Washington from Captain Josiah Stoddard, 24 May 1779
From Captain Josiah Stoddard
Salisbury [Conn.] May 24. 1779
Sir
My Brother Doctor Stoddard waits on Your Excellency for a furlough agreeable to the inclosd Copy of a Resolve of Congress, which I understand not to be a furlough but only enabling Your Excellency to give one & to determin the term of it.1
Cou’d wish to be indulgd with six or seven months that a little want of time shou’d not frustrate my attempt—have never till now been able to go abroad.
Your Excelly will please to return the Resolve to my Brother as the Original is at head Qrs.2 I am Sr with the higest respect your Excells. most Obedt hum. Servt
Josiah Stoddard Capt.
2d Lt Dragoons
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Stoddard enclosed a certificate, dated 16 May and signed at Durham, Conn., by Col. Elisha Sheldon, indicating that Stoddard had settled all of his accounts (DLC:GW). For the resolve of 27 Jan. granting him a furlough, and for the discussions leading to it, see GW to John Jay, 27 Jan., and n.3 to that document; Jay to GW, 27 Jan., and n.1 to that document; and GW to Stoddard, 27 January. Darius Stoddard (1754–1790), who served for much of the war as a surgeon in the hospital department, was censured in general orders on 31 Oct. 1780 for making “vexatious and Malicious” charges against Col. Elisha Sheldon (DLC:GW).
2. No reply to this letter has been found. Josiah Stoddard died on 24 Aug. 1779 and never made it to France.