The
gentlemen from that province recommended General Pomeroy, who was
accordingly fixed upon; but, before his commission arrived at the
camp, he had retired from the army. Under these circumstances the
Congress thought it just to fill up the commission designed for Mr.
Pomeroy with the name of General Thomas as first brigadier. You,
consequently, hold the rank to which you were elected.
I sincerely hope this may not give you any displeasure, as I am
confident no disrespect was intended.
Be pleased to accept my sincere wishes for your honour and happiness,
and particularly in the discharge of the important trust which you
have undertaken.
I am, with regard,
Dear sir, your most obedient servant,
JAS. DUANE.
General MONTGOMERY.
GENERAL MONTGOMERY'S ANSWER.
DEAR SIR,
I have been honoured with your letter of the 21st inst. My
acknowledgments are due for the attention shown me by the Congress.
I submit, with great cheerfullness, to any regulation they, in their
prudence, shall judge expedient. Laying aside the punctilio of the
_soldier_, I shall endeavour to discharge my duty to society,
considering myself only as the _citizen_, reduced to the melancholy
necessity of taking up arms for the public safety.
I am, &c., R. M.
Answer.
The preceding is endorsed, in the handwriting of General Montgomery,
on the back of Mr. Duane's letter.
The laxity of the discipline which pervaded the camp at Cambridge, the
inexperience of the officers, and the contests and petty squabbles
about rank, all tended to excite great jealousy and discontent in the
army.
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