276 AUTHENTIC HISTORY 



impatiently wait the result of your deliberations, as Gen. du Portail will 

 soon return to camp. 



As to the map lent to this Board, we perfectly remember its being- 

 soon returned to us by Col. Laumoy, the engineer who used it, as not 

 answering (or but in a small degree) the purpose for which it was bor- 

 rowed; and we are also well satisfied from our recollection, that it was 

 sent back to the Council, or their secretary. Nevertheless, we shall very 

 readily communicate to your honorable board General du Portail's map 

 as soon as we are furnished with it, as we will with every other matter 

 in our power which we think will be useful to the State, or which you 

 may request. 



We have the honour 



to be, with great respect 

 your Excellency's 



most obedient Servants. 



By order of the Board, 



Tim. Pickering. 

 Indorsed^ 



From Colonel Timothy Pickering, by order of the Board of War, with 

 a copy of a letter to Gen. Pulaski. 

 Directed^ 



His Excellency Joseph Eeed, Esq., President of the Supreme Execu- 

 tive Council of Pennsylvania. 

 War Office. 



Board of War to Brig. Gen. Count Pulaski, 1779. 



War Office, March 9, 1779. 

 Sir: We have the honor to inclose you a copy of our letter, and an 

 extract of another, relative to the conduct of your corps in your absence. 

 We hoped that all such grounds of complaint, had long since ceased. 

 But as those mentioned correspond with former reports we cannot avoid 

 giving some credit to them. The complaints are of such a nature as to 

 demand a strict enquiry, at the same time they should lead you and your 

 officers to maintain a stricter discipline in the Corps. This the peace 

 and quiet of the Citizens of these States as well as the honor of the Corps 

 indispensably demand. You will suffer us, Sir, to suggest the necessity 

 of European officers divesting themselves of European Ideas, while they 

 serve in America. The Inhabitants of these States are unused to the 

 severe exactions of Military power; they expect protection, and not vio- 

 lence and oppression from troops raised and supported at their own ex- 

 pense. It must give you pain, as it does us, to find the Legion followed 

 with the execrations of the People among whom they have been sta- 

 tioned. 



