during the War of the American Revolution, 1775-83.    605

    course of the campaign, my baggage, papers, and other matters of great
    public import, may be committed to the sole care of these men. This
    being premised, in order to impress you with proper attention in the
    choice, I have to request, that you will immediately furnish me with tour
    men of your regiment; and, as it is my farther wish, that this company
    should look well and be nearly of a size, I desire that none of the men
    may exceed in Stature five feet ten inches, nor fall short of five feet nine
    inches, sober, young, active, and well made. When I recommend care
    in your choice, I would be understood to mean men of good character
    in the regiment, that possess the pride of appearing clean and soldier
    like. I am satisfied there can be no absolute security for the fidelity of
    this class of people, but yet I think it most likely to be found in those
    who have family connexions in the country. You will therefore send
    me none but natives, and men of some property, if you have them. I
    must insist, that, in making this choice, you give no intimation of my
    preference of natives, as I do not want to create any invidious dis
    tinction between them and the foreigners. I am, yours &c.


    CALEB GIBBS, COMMISSIONED CAPTAIN AND COMMANDER OF WASHINGTON'S

    GUARDS 12 MARCH, 1777, COMMISSIONED MAJOR 29 JULY, 1778.



       I hereby Certify that the after mentioned men joined the Com
    mander in Chief's Guard at the different periods rit against their Names
    & that they have not drawn any pay in said Corps since their joining.
    James McDonald,	Formerly of 7th  Md. Regt.    		Jan 1st, ‘81.
    Edward Wade, (Weed)   "	 "  3rd   "   "    		May 15th, ‘81.
    John Dent,            "      "  3rd   "   "        		Apl 11th, ‘80.
    Jere. Driskill,       "      "  4th   "   "        		Apl 11th, '80
    Thomas Gillen,        "      "  5th   "   "        		July, ‘80.

                            W. Colfax, Lt. Comt.,
                               Commd. in Chief's Guard.
       Hd. Qurs., Head of Elk, 7th Sept., 1781.