Washington, George. A document signed as Commander of the Continental Army, being Cash Pallentine's military discharge

Property from Joseph Rubinfine, American Historical Autographs

WASHINGTON, GEORGE 

PRINTED DOCUMENT SIGNED ("GO. WASHINGTON") AS COMMANDER OF THE CONTINENTAL ARMY, BEING CASH PALLENTINE'S MILITARY DISCHARGE

Broadsheet on paper (10 1/4 x 7 1/2 in.; 260 x 192 mm), accomplished in a clerical hand, "Head-Quarters" [Newburgh, New York], 9 June 1783, countersigned by aide-de-camp Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., and recording adjutant Joseph Clark, "Badge of Merit" text present at bottom; soiled, some spotting, pinholes at folds. With large engraved portrait of Washington. Matted, framed, and glazed together; not examined out of frame.

With ceasefire orders issued in April 1783, Washington began the gradual disbandment of the Continental Army, then situated a short distance from his Newburgh headquarters at the New Windsor cantonment. The plan called for enlisted men and noncommissioned officers to be discharged first, and the present certificate was issued to Cash Pallentine, who had served in the 3rd Connecticut Regiment since May 1777. Pallentine's discharge, like those of his compatriots, was provisional, as text on the verso of the document clarifies that "The within Certificate shall not avail the Bearer as a Discharge, until the Ratification of the definitive Treaty of Peace; previous to which Time, and until Proclamation thereof shall be made, He is to be considered as being on Furlough." The Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3, 1783, by commissioners of the United States, Great Britain, France, and Spain.