Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette to Walter Stewart discussing a recent mutiny in the Continental Army - American History 1493-1945 - Adam Matthew Digital

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Field name	Value
Collection Reference Number	GLC00139
From Archive Folder	Documents Relating to 1781
Title	Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette to Walter Stewart discussing a recent mutiny in the Continental Army
Date	7 January 1781
Author	Lafayette, Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, Marquis de (1757-1834)
Recipient	Stewart, Walter
Document Type	Correspondence; Military document
Content Description	Writes to Colonel Stewart to ask how he is addressing a recent mutiny in the Continental Army, referred to as "the unhappy and disgraceful dispute." Also notes the expected arrival of General George Washington. On 1 January 1781, soldiers under General Anthony Wayne deserted their camp at Morristown for want of adequate food, clothing, and pay. The mutiny was later suppressed by General Arthur St. Clair; Lafayette indicates he spoke to St. Clair about the matter and is in disbelief. The letter is dated 1781 but incorrectly docketed 1780.
Subjects	Continental Army Revolutionary War Military History Rebellion Mutiny Soldier's Pay France Rebellion
People	Lafayette, Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert Du Motier, Marquis de (1757-1834) Stewart, Walter (1756-1796)
Place written	Morristown, New Jersey
Theme	The American Revolution
Sub-collection	The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859
Copyright	The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Module	Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859
Transcript	Show/hide Morristown January the 7th 1781 Dear Sir I take this opportunity of inquiring from you what are your present prospects of settling the unhappy and disgracing dispute which has taken place - having nothing to do here in the presence of genl St. Clair I should have liked to stay with you - Whatever has been said by some on this occasion, I cannot yet believe that the soldiers of your line and particularly those of the Light Infantry have forgot theyr sentiments for one whom they must know to be theyr friend - However dissatisfied I may be with theyr present mode of conduct which makes me more unhappy than any thing I have experienced I shall try to render them service if it comes within the reach of my power General Washington is expected here at every minute - what he must feel you will easily suspect - I am sure he will be disposed to do anything that May prove serviceable to the Soldiers - But they ought to be sensible of his dispositions and therefore apply to him through your mediation. With the Most Sincere affection I am Yours Lafayette [address leaf] private Colonel Walter Stewart As Lafayette [illegible] Princetown [docket] Marquiss La Fayette Jany 7th 1780

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