Washington, George, as Continental Commander

Letter signed ("Go: Washintgon"), text in the hand of Benjamin Walker, 1 page (13 3/8 x 8 1/4 in.; 342 x 215 mm) on a single leaf (watermarked s & w), Rocky Hill, 4 November 1783, to Dr. John Cochran, "Director of Military Hospitals"; laid down on tissue, closing several fold separations, some small losses at folds just touching three or four words.

Writings of George Washington, ed. Fitzpatrick, 27:230–31 (text from the draft with several variations in wording, capitalization, punctuation, and other incidentals)

With the signing of the Treaty of Paris, 3 September 1783, began the mustering out of that part of Continental Army serving for the duration of the war. Washington here instructs the army's medical director accordingly to reduce his department. "The Troops in Pennsylvania and to the Southward of it (except the Garrison of Fort Pitt) being all discharged by a Proclamation of this day; it appears to me no longer necessary to keep in service so many Officers of the Hospital Department as are included in the within Copy of a Subsistence Roll [not present] for this Month lately transmitted me." 

"I am now to desire you, to transmit to me as soon as possible a List of such of the Officers of your Department as it will be absolutely necessary to retain for the Troops which remain in service; and to acquaint the rest that their services are no longer necesary."