Washington, Georde, 1732-1799. The writings
of George Washington from the original manuscript
sources: Volume 7
Electronic Text Center,
University of Virginia Library
To BRIGADIER GENERAL NATHANIEL HEARD Morris Town,
April 7, 1777.
Sir: Inclosed I transmit you a Copy of a late
resolve of Congress, by which you will perceive, that in
bringing the Militia into the field, strict regard is to
be had to the number of men; and only a due proportion
of Officers, both with respect to rank and number, is to
be called out to command them.62
More than these will not be paid, as it would impose an
unreasonable burthen on the public. There have been
horrid abuses in this way; it has been heretofore
customary, to see almost as many Officers as men, in the
pay abstracts that have been brought before me. And what
is, if possible, a still greater enormity I have reason
to believe it is too often a practice for Officers who
command parties, to assume the rank of their superior
officers who happen to be absent, and to draw pay
equivalent to it, under the absurd idea of their acting
in their stead and capacity, I desire your careful
attention to the remedying these things in future, as
the tenor of the before mentioned resolve will be
rigidly adhered to, and Supernumerary officers may
expect to receive no pay for their unnecessary Services;
and those who are guilty of such an assumption of rank
will make themselves liable to punishment.
I find, that the Brigadiers of this State have
each a particular power, only to call out the Militia of
a particular district. On this account, unless the
Governor should have regulated the matter himself, it
will be necessary that the Brigadiers should agree among
themselves, on one of their number to take the actual
command of the Troops in the field; more than one will
not be wanted for the purpose.
I shall deem it indespensibly incumbent on the
acting Brigadier, to inforce upon all the Officers under
him, the necessary practice of making exact returns to
him of their several parties; and to impress it upon
them, in explicit terms, that no abstracts they shall
present, will be paid, unless they are first certified
under his hand, in doing which, his duty and reputation
demand he should accurately compare the abstracts with
the returns that have been previously made. Any neglect
or want of care, in this particular, will manifest an
unpardonable disregard, to the public good. I am &ca.
