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sweets of domestic life with more heartfelt joy than I should. But I would have this declaration accompanied by these sentiments, that while the public are satisfied " with my endeavours, I mean not to shrink from the cause: but the moment her voice, not that of faction, calls upon me to resign, I shall do it with as much pleasure as ever the wearied traveller retired to rest."

NOTE....No. VII.... See page 361.

The following is an extract from a letter addressed by the committee to congress, which was taken among the papers of mr. Laurens, and is to be found in mr. Stedman's history of the war.

Sir,

We had flattered ourselves, that, before this time, the pleasure of congress would be made known to us, respecting the quarter master's department. We fear our letter upon this subject has miscarried, or the consideration of it yielded to other business. You will, therefore, pardon us, sir, when we again solicit your attention to it, as an object of the last importance; on which not only the future success of your arms, but the present exist. ence of your army, immediately depends. The influence of this office is so diffusive through every part of your military system, that neither the wisdom of arrangement, the spirit of enterprise, or favourable opportunity, will be of any avail, if this great wheel in the machine stops, or moves heavily. We find ourselves embarrassed in entering on this subject, lest a bare recital of facts should carry an imputation (which we do not intend) on those gentlemen who have lately conducted it. We are sensible great and just allowances are to be made for the peculiarity of their situation, and we are perhaps not fully acquainted with all their difficulties. It is our duty, sir, to inform you, it is not our intention to censure; and be assured nothing but a sense of the obligation we are under to postpone all other considerations to the public safety, could induce us to perform the unpleasing task. We find,

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sir, the property of the continent dispersed over the whole country; not an encampment, route of the army, or considerable road, but abounds with waggons, left to the mercy of the weather, and the will of the inhabitants; large quantities of intrenching tools have, in like manner, been left in various hands, under no other security that we can learn, than the honesty of those who have them in possession. No less than three thousand spades and shovels, and the like number of tomahawks, have lately been discovered and collected in the vicinity of the camp, by an order from one of the general officers. In the same way, a quantity of tents, and tent cloth, after having lain a whole summer in a farmer's barn, and unknown to the officer of the department, was lately discovered, and brought to camp by a special order from the general. From these instances we presume there may be many other stores yet unknown, and uncollected, which require immediate care and attention.

"When in compliance with the expectation of congress, and the wishes of the country, the army was thrown into huts, instead of retiring into more distant and convenient quarters, the troops justly expected every comfort which the surrounding country could afford. Among these, a providential care in the article of straw, would probably have saved the lives of many of your brave soldiers who have now paid the great debt of nature. Unprovided with this, or materials to raise them from the cold and wet earth, sickness and mortality have spread through their quarters in an astonishing degree. Notwithstanding the diligence of the physicians and surgeons, of whom we hear no complaint, the sick and dead list has increased one third in the last week's returns, which was one third greater than the week preceding; and from the present inclement weather, will probably increase in a much greater proportion. Nothing, sir, can equal their sufferings, except the patience and fortitude, with which the faithful part of the army endure them. Those of a different character desert in great numbers.

"We must also observe, that a number of the troops have now some time been prepared for inoculation; but the operation must be delayed for want of this straw and other necessaries within the providence of this department. We need not point out the fatal consequences of this delay in forming a new army, or the preservation of this. Almost every day furnishes instances of the small pox in the natural way. Hitherto, such vigilance and care has been used, that the contagion has not spread; but surely it is highly incumbent upon us, if possible, to annihilate the danger.

In

"We need not point out the effects this circumstance will have on the new draughted troops, if not carefully guarded; they are too obvious to need enumeration. conference with the forage master on this subject (which though in appearance trivial, is really important) he acquainted us, that, though out of his line, he would have procured it, if waggons could have been furnished him for that purpose.

The want of waggons and horses for the ordinary, as well as extraordinary occasions of the army, presses upon us, if possible, with equal force; almost every species of camp transportation is now performed by men, who without a murmur, patiently yoke themselves to little carri ages of their own making, or load their wood and provisions on their backs. Should the enemy, encouraged by the growing weakness of your troops, be led to make a successful impression upon your camp, your artillery would now undoubtedly fall into their hands, for want of horses to remove it. But these are smaller and tolerable evils, when compared with the imminent danger of your troops perishing with famine or dispersing in search of food. The commissaries, in addition to their supplies of live cattle, which are precarious, have found a quantity of pork in New Jersey, of which, by a failure of waggons, not one barrel has reached the camp.

The orders were given for that purpose as early as the fourth of January. In yesterday's conference with the general, he informed us, that some brigades had been

four days without meat; and that even the common soldiers had been at his quarters to make known their wants. At present, sir, there is not one gentleman of any rank in this department, though the duties of the office require a constant and unremitting attention. In whatever view therefore the subject presents itself, we trust you will discern, that the most essential interests are connected with it. The season of preparation for the next campaign is passing swiftly away. Be assured, sir, that its operations will be ineffectual, either for offence or protection, if an arrangement is not immediately made, and the most vigorous exertions used to procure the necessary supplies. Permit us to say that a moment's time should not be lost in placing a man of approved abilities, and extensive capacity at the head of the department, who will restore it to some degree of order and regularity, whose provident care will immediately relieve the present wants of the army and extend itself to those which must be satisfied, before we can expect vigour, enterprise, or success. When your committee reflect upon the increased difficulties of procuring waggons, horses, tents, and the numerous train of articles dependent on this office, without which your army cannot even move; they feel the greatest anxiety lest the utmost skill, diligence, and address, will prove ineffectual to satisfy the growing demand.

"All other considerations vanish before this object; and we most earnestly wish congress may be impressed in a proper degree with its necessity and importance."

NOTE....No. VIII....See page 363.

The first resolution which allowed half-pay for seven years under many restrictions, passed on the 15th of May. In the mean-time, the commander in chief exerted all his influence, to prevent the resignation of good officers, by opposing their wishes in this respect, and exciting in them the hope that congress would not continue inattentive to their situation. The following extract from a letter to brigadier general Glover exhibits one among very many efforts of the same kind. "Excuse me, sir"

said he to that officer, "if I hesitate to give my concurrence to the desire you express of quitting the army. I have too high an opinion of your value as an officer, to do any thing which may contribute to your relinquishing that character. My earnest wish is that you may continue in it. The spirit of resigning, which is now become almost epidemical, is truly painful and alarming. This spirit prevailing among many of the best officers, from various inducements, if persisted in, must deeply wound the common cause. You cannot but be convinced, the situation of the army is such that it can ill bear the loss of good officers; and such would do well to consider how much they put to the hazard, by doing any thing to weaken the sinews of our cause at so critical a time. I am persuaded if these ideas were properly realized that they would endure great inconveniences, and make great sacrifices, rather than withdraw their services. I am fully sensible of the disadvantages officers have hitherto laboured under from the insufficiency of their appointments; but measures have been, and I flatter myself others still more effectual will be taken, to remedy this evil. I am impressing the necessity of it by every argument in my power, and you may assure yourself that no endeavour of mine, will be omitted to remove so just a cause of complaint.

NOTE....No. IX.... See page 427.

The testimony, however, contradicting these assertions, was such that it could not be passed over, and general Washington, after stating in strong terms, the injuries alleged to be sustained proceeded to add, "the friends of these unhappy men call daily upon me for their relief, and the people at large insist on retaliating upon those in our possession. Justice too demands it. However, before I could proceed to a measure at which my feelings recoil, I thought it right to mention the facts to you, and I would propose, that I may be allowed to send a suitable person into the city, under the usual restrictions, to examine into the truth of them.".