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neral James Clinton, enquired whether he knew of any 

 person who was qualified to act as Geographer, or, as 

 it would now probably be termed, Topographical Engi- 

 neer, to the army. Mr. De Witt was immediately re- 

 commended by him, and he was accordingly appointed 

 in 1778, assistant to Col. Robert Erskine, then Geogra- 

 pher in chief. How well and how satisfactorily he per- 

 formed his duties, may be inferred from the fact, that on 

 the death of Col. Erskine in 1780, (and not his resigna- 

 tion as has been erroneously stated in some accounts,*) 

 he was appointed head of the department. The commis- 

 sion under which he served I have here before me, and 

 you will permit me to read it as a relic of by-gone times. 

 The United States of America, in Congress assembled. 

 To Simeon De Witt, Esq. Greeting. 

 We, reposing especial trust and confidence in your 

 patriotism, prudence and fidelity, do by these presents 

 appoint you to be Geographer to the United States of 

 America from the fourth day of December, 1780. You 

 are therefore faithfully and diligently to discharge the 

 duty of Geographer to the United States of America, by 

 doing and performing all manner of things thereunto be- 

 longing. And you are to observe and follow such orders 

 and directions from time to time as you shall receive from 

 this or a future Congress of the United States, or com- 

 mittee of Congress for that purpose appointed, a com- 

 mittee of the states, or the commander in chief, for the 

 time being, of the army of the United States, accordmg 

 to the rules and discipline of war, in pursuance of the 

 trust reposed in you. This commission to continue in 

 force until revoked by this or a future Congress, the 

 committee of Congress before mentioned, or a committee 

 of the states. 



* In Congress, Dec. 4, 1780, Resolved, That Simeon De Witt be appowt- 

 ed Geographer to the Army in the room of Robert Erskine, deceased, 

 tract from the minutes. Charles Thomson, Secretary. [From the orig>n 



