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THE PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN
WASHINGTON, George (1732-1799). Autograph manuscript signed ("G:o Washington"), 8 December 1788. 1 page, 4to, blank integral leaf (docketed), remnants of Washington's seal, seal hole and creases expertly mended.
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WASHINGTON, George (1732-1799). Autograph manuscript signed ("G:o Washington"), 8 December 1788. 1 page, 4to, blank integral leaf (docketed), remnants of Washington's seal, seal hole and creases expertly mended.
WASHINGTON DOES JUSTICE TO THE HEIRS OF A REVOLUTIONARY WAR HERO WHO DIED "IN THE MOST EXQUISITE PAINS" FROM WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION. Capt. George Hurlbut, "of the second Regiment of Light Dragoons received a wound in the gallant performance of his duty at Tarry Town in the summer of 1781, of which after having languished in the most exquisite pains until the 8th of May 1783, he expired." His gallantry had earlier come to Washington's notice "from the very brave manner in which he saved a considerable quantity of stores, by swimming on board a vessel & extinguishing the flames that had been kindled by the enemy amidst a severe fire from their ships (for which he then received my particular thanks in the public orders of the Army)..." But Hurlbut died from complications of his painful wounds on 8 May 1783, some six months after the signing of the Preliminary Treaty of Peace on 30 November 1782. As such he fell outside of the provisions of the law passed by Congress to give half-pay pensions to the widows of officers killed during the war. But since the cause of Hurlbut's death stemmed from valorous actions performed on active service, Washington states "that the heir or heirs of the said Captain George Hurbut ought, in point of justice & the reason of the case, to be entitled to the commutation of his half-pay..."
WASHINGTON DOES JUSTICE TO THE HEIRS OF A REVOLUTIONARY WAR HERO WHO DIED "IN THE MOST EXQUISITE PAINS" FROM WOUNDS RECEIVED IN ACTION. Capt. George Hurlbut, "of the second Regiment of Light Dragoons received a wound in the gallant performance of his duty at Tarry Town in the summer of 1781, of which after having languished in the most exquisite pains until the 8th of May 1783, he expired." His gallantry had earlier come to Washington's notice "from the very brave manner in which he saved a considerable quantity of stores, by swimming on board a vessel & extinguishing the flames that had been kindled by the enemy amidst a severe fire from their ships (for which he then received my particular thanks in the public orders of the Army)..." But Hurlbut died from complications of his painful wounds on 8 May 1783, some six months after the signing of the Preliminary Treaty of Peace on 30 November 1782. As such he fell outside of the provisions of the law passed by Congress to give half-pay pensions to the widows of officers killed during the war. But since the cause of Hurlbut's death stemmed from valorous actions performed on active service, Washington states "that the heir or heirs of the said Captain George Hurbut ought, in point of justice & the reason of the case, to be entitled to the commutation of his half-pay..."