To George Washington from Walter Stewart, 18 February 1783

I had the pleasure of receiving your Excellency’s favor of the 18th January, And find myself Under Additional Obligations for the kind manner in which You are pleas’d to mention my late Illness; from it I now think myself perfectly recover’d, Although Oblig’d to be very careful for fear of a relapse.

I should have Answer’d Your Excellency’s Letter Immediately, but being at that time uncertain how I stood in the Army, I took the Liberty of deferring it untill that should be resolv’d to a Certainty.

Being depriv’d of my Regiment in Consequence of the Arrangement of 1783, I Endeavour’d a Compromise with Colo. Humpton in which I was Unfortunate enough to fail, However, as my own desire, as well as that of my friends is Strongly in favor of my seeing this Contest to an End, I shall Immediately get ready to set out, and hope to be at Camp the beginning of March.

I have to lament that my bad State of Health should so long prevent my paying Attention to the department in which I serve, But Your Excellency may be Assur’d, Previous to this time I could not with any degree of Propriety Expose myself much in the Weather.

Mrs Stewart is much oblig’d by Your Excellency’s recommendation respecting Her, I fear I cannot at present have the pleasure of Her Company, but hope for a Visit in the course of the Campaign. She Joins in Affectionate Compliments to Your Excellency And Mrs Washington. I have the Honor to be with sincere regard & Esteem, Yr Excellency’s Most Obed. Servt