George Washington to Francis Barber instructing him to obtain intelligence on British movements - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC01201
From Archive Folder	Documents Relating to 1778
Title	George Washington to Francis Barber instructing him to obtain intelligence on British movements
Date	9 July 1778
Author	Washington, George (1732-1799)
Recipient	Barber, Francis
Document Type	Correspondence
Content Description	Addressed to Barber in Elizabethtown, New Jersey, where he was recovering from a wound received at the Battle of Monmouth. Instructs Barber to obtain intelligence on the British movements across the Hudson river in New York while in New Jersey. Informs that any expenses will be repaid. Expresses relief that Barber's wound is healing. States that, "Tho I wish for your services, I would not have you to rejoin the Army before your condition will admit of it, with the most perfect safety." Text of the letter and the address are written in the hand of Washington's secretary, Robert H. Harrison. Washington signed a franking signature, "On public service," on the address leaf.
Subjects	President Battle of Monmouth Revolutionary War Spying Finance Global History and Civics Injury or Wound Continental Army Military History Battle
People	Washington, George (1732-1799) Barber, Francis (1750-1783) Harrison, Robert Hanson (1745-1790)
Theme	The American Revolution; Health & Medicine; The Presidency; Foreign Affairs; Banking & Economics
Sub-collection	The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Additional Information	Signer of the U.S. Constitution.
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide July 9: 1778- Dr Sir, I was this afternoon favoured with your letter of the 8th. Inst. While you are at Elizabeth Town, I wish you to obtain the best intelligence you can from time to time of the Enemy's situation and [inserted: of] any movements, they may seem to have in view. For this purpose you will employ the persons you mention, or such others as you may judge necessary. Whatever expenses you are at, upon this occasion, will be repaid on the earliest notice. I am extremely happy to hear your wound is in so favorable a way. I hope it will be better every day. Tho I wish for your services, I would not have you to rejoin the Army before your condition will admit of it, with the most perfect safety. I am Dr Sir Yr Most Obed Servt Go: Washington [docket:] Gen: Washington's July 9th 1778 [address:] ?On public service? Lt. Colo Barber at Eliza Town Go: Washington

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