Letter from General Washington to Governour Trumbull

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Cambridge, December 15, 1775.

SIR: Your favours of the 7th and 9th instant I received, and was much pleased to hear of the zeal of the people of Connecticut, and the readiness of the inhabitants of the several towns to march to this town, upon their being acquainted with the behaviour and desertion of their troops.

I have nothing to suggest for the consideration of your Assembly; I am confident they will not be wanting in their exertions for supporting the just and constitutional rights of the Colonies.

Enclosed I send you a list of the officers and companies under the new establishment, with the number of the men

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Having heard that it is doubtful whether the Reverend Mr˙ Leonard, from your Colony, will have it in his power to continue here as a Chaplain, I cannot but express some concern, as I think his departurewill be a loss. His general conduct has been exemplary and praiseworthy; in discharging the duties of his office, active and industrious; he has discovered himself a warm and steady friend to his country, and taken great pains to animate the soldiery, and impress them with a knowledge of the important rights we are contending for. Upon the late desertion of the troops, he gave a sensible and judicious discourse, holding forth the necessity of courage and bravery, and at the same time, of obedience and subordination to those in command.

In justice to the merits of this gentleman, I thought it only right to give you this testimonial of my opinion of him, and to mention him to you as a person worthy of your esteem and that of the publick.

I am, sir, &c˙, GEORGE WASHINGTON.

To Governour Trumbull, Connecticut.