486 Journal and Correspondence

C. C.

cessful in employing a Sett of Villains to recruit in Sussex
and the disaffected Parts of this State, our Endeavours will
not be wanting to put a Stop to it and bring the Guilty to
Punishment.
Isaac Sterling promises to wait on you and you will per-
haps be able to secure some of the Offenders who may pos-
sibly be passing through your Parts. We are Sir &^ca
Col^o Simpson Accomack
Virginia

Original.

[Gates to Johnson.]

(Circular) War Office February 10, 1778.
Sir
Enclosed you have a Copy of a Resolve of Congress,
directing the Board to enquire into the causes of the defi-
ciences in the department of the purchasing Commissaries,
the present state of which, is really alarming. In order to
enable us to comply with the directions of Congress, it is
necessary to get all the evidence the subject will admit of, as
well for present satisfaction, as future Government. I am
therefore, to sollicit your immediate enquiry into the situation
of the purchasing Department in your State, and that you
will be pleas'd to give such Information, both as to men and
measures, as you shall think the necessity of the case demands,
and if any abuses have arisen, from the men, employed either
principally or subordinately, Measures, may be taken for their
removal; and if any want of Regulation on public, or private
obstructions, has been the occasion of the Languor in the
Department, as far as has fallen under your Notice, the proper
representation may be made to Congress, who are ready to
remedy, when properly informed, of the evil. The Board,
would also be happy to receive your opinion, as to what sup-
plies may at this time or in the course of the next Campaign,
be drawn from your State, specifying, the species and probable
quantitys of the respective articles. The Board have taken
the Liberty to address this Letter to you, as they have done
to the Governments of the other States, not with a view to
any particular Person or Measure, nor with a desire to draw
from any State more Provisions or supplies than it is prudent
for them to part with, but as they have been placed in a great
Department, and do not yet know where the Enemys Opera-
tions the next Campaign may point, it is necessary for the
Board to know what Abuses prevail, what Regulations should
be made in the Provision business, and what resources each
State can furnish in case of any emergency or movement of
the Enemy; keeping always in view the supply of the Army,