Head Quarters, West point, July 26, 1779
Dr. Sr:
Your favor by Captain Rudulph1 I received yesterday. He has my directions respecting Cloathing for your Officers.
As you think the two Serjts. named in your list,2 Officers worthy of promotion I approve the appointments, the remove of your Qr Mr into McLane’s company I also consent to; but, the appointment of an extra capt. in the Corps and 3 subs under McLane I cannot conceive necessary, the former you observe is allowed by Congress. It may be the case but I do not remember to have seen such a resolve. Such men of Capt McLane’s Compy as have deserted for the reasons you mention and may with safety be brought back to it, I shall grant pardons to, and wish the Captain to take immediate steps to recover them.
You express a wish that the Corps should be considered as a part of the quota of some particular state. It is a desirable circumstance but the effecting it does not rest with me.
I have granted a Warrant for the 1000 Dolls. promised the Negro pilots, and included the 230 expended by you for secret services.
I am, &c.
1 Lieut. Michael Rudolph, of Lee’s Dragoons. He was made brevet captain in September, 1779, by vote of Congress; captain in November, 1791; served to close of the war.
2 Lee’s letter is not now found in the Washington Papers. There were, however, two sergeants of the Ninth Pennsylvania Regiment wounded in the attack on Stony Point - Henry Crone, or Krone, and - Dunlap, or Donlop, These may be the ones Lee mentioned. Dunlap was the fifth man to enter the British works.
3 The draft is in the writing of Richard Kidder Meade.