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Subject Area: Political Theory
Topic: The American Revolution and Constitution

TO MAJOR-GENERAL ARTHUR ST. CLAIR. - George Washington, The Writings of George Washington, vol. XII (1790-1794) [1891]

Edition used:

The Writings of George Washington, collected and edited by Worthington Chauncey Ford (New York and London: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1890). Vol. XII (1790-1794).

Part of: The Writings of George Washington, 14 vols.

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TO MAJOR-GENERAL ARTHUR ST. CLAIR.

Sir,

I have read and duly considered your letter of the 31st ultimo. The reasons you offer for retaining your commission, until an opportunity should be presented, if necessary, of investigating your conduct in every mode prescribed by law, would be conclusive with me under any other circumstances than the present. But the establishment of the troops allows only of one major-general. You have manifested your intention of retiring, and the essential interests of the public require, that your successor should be immediately appointed, in order to repair to the frontiers.

As the House of Representatives have been pleased to institute an inquiry into the causes of the failure of the late expedition, I should hope an opportunity would thereby be afforded you of explaining your conduct in a manner satisfactory to the public and yourself. I am, &c.1

[1 ]“Your knowledge of the country northwest of the Ohio, and of the resources for an army in its vicinity, added to a full confidence in your military character founded on mature experience, induced my nomination of you to the command of the troops on the frontiers.

“Your desire of rectifying any errors of the public opinion, relatively to your conduct, by an investigation of a court of inquiry, is highly laudable, and would be readily complied with, were the measure practicable. But a total deficiency of officers in actual service, of competent rank to form a legal court for that purpose, precludes the power of gratifying your wishes on the occasion.

“The intimation of your readiness to afford your successor all the information of which you are capable, although unnecessary for my personal conviction, must be regarded as an additional evidence of the goodness of your heart, and of your attachment to your country.”—Washington to St. Clair, 28 March, 1792.

A cabinet council to consider the call of a committee of Congress on Knox for the papers connected with St. Clair’s expedition, is given by Jefferson in his Anas, under dates March 31st and April 2d.