A Year With George Washington
On March 22, 1776, Washington, following a months-long siege, had taken possession of the newly liberated city of Boston. Though the great majority of those still loyal to the crown had sailed away with General Howe and his army, a few Tories remained, one of whom was Dr. James Lloyd.
It seems a fellow doctor named John Morgan had, in the aftermath of the siege, come into possession of one of Lloyd’s fine horses and, knowing that Washington appreciated an “exceedingly handsome and good horse,” thought it a fitting gift for the General.
On March 19, 1776, Dr. Morgan wrote to Washington with news of his gift to him. Washington took a few days to respond to the gesture so that he might look into the circumstances behind the present.
It was then that he discovered the fine horse did not belong to the King or the British Army, but to a private citizen, though one not friendly to Washington’s cause. Washington, in keeping with his heroic character, declined the offer and respectfully directed that it be returned to its rightful owner.
In a small but not insignificant window into George Washington’s true self, we find that even to “an avow’d Enemy to the American Cause,” Washington would extend the hand of empathy and uphold the principles of liberty for which he was risking his life and fortune to preserve.
Below are the brief letters describing the exchange:
From John Morgan to General George Washington
Tuesday March 19. 1776
Doctor Morgans Compliments to General Washington. Having received a present of an exceedingly handsome & good horse, he thinks it too elegant & accomplished an Animal not to wish General Washington Master of it, therefore begs the Generals Acceptance of it, in which case shall think himself very happy to have had it in his power to furnish him so noble a Steed at a time when he may have more particular occasion for a good riding horse, either for his own Use or that of Mrs Washington.
Dr Morgans Servant now attends with the Horse to deliver it to whomsoever the Genl shall order to take charge of it.
Dr. John Morgan
From General George Washington to John Morgan
[Cambridge] Friday-Morning. 22d Mar. 1776.
The General presents his best respects to Doctr Morgan—Upon enquiry of Colonel Mifflin, concerning the Horse (the Doctr very kindly made a tender of to him) he is given to understand, that this Horse did not belong to the King, or any of his Officers; but was the property of a Doctr Loyd, an avow’d Enemy to the American Cause—As the Genel does not know under what predicament the property of these kind of People may fall; In short, if there was no kind of doubt in the case, as the Horse is of too much value for the General to think of robbing the Doctr of, he begs leave to return him; accompanied with sincere thanks for the politeness with which he was presented; and this request, that the Doctr will not think the General meant to slight his favours.
He is sorry to hear of Mrs Morgans Indisposition—hopes she is better to day.
G. Washington
