500 Journal and Correspondence

C. C.

The state of our Army is critical. Four months pay, if not
more are due them, and no money in the Treasury to satisfy
their just and reasonable Demands. The press is at work,
and attended with all vigilance and care, and has been for
some time past & near a million a week is now made, and yet
our Demands are greater then we can answer. They come
in from all parts of the Continent. The Avarice of our
people and the extravagant prices of all commodities, joined
with the imperfect management of our Affairs, would expend
the mines of Chili and Peru.
For the want of pay, of Cloths, and provisions our Army is
decreasing every hour, not by one or two at a time, but from
seven to twelve. By a Letter from Col. Smith he tells me
some of the troops have been eight Days at different times
without meat, and only a bare allowance of flour. The State
of Pennsylvania has passed a Law appointing certain commis-
sioners in every county of the State, with full power to pur-
chase or to seize at stated prices all provisions necessary for
the Army. These men are subject to the orders of Congress
as to the quantity of each article of provisions to be purchased
or seized. Besides this the Board of War have Authority
from Congress to purchase twenty thousand Barrels of flour
and other provisions necessary for the spring. From these
resources I expect fifty thousand Barrels of flour, and quanti-
ties of other provisions, but to what amount is uncertain. Our
commissary Gen^l does not at this time as I am informed, know
that he has five thousand Barrels of pork or Beef. Upon
such foundations the existance of our army depends. At
whose door this prospect of ruin lies, time will discover.
What think you of D^r Franklins assassination; with some
Gentlemen here, the tale has the appearance of probability,
with others it is esteemed a fact. I hope both opinions are
groundless. His death will stagnate our system in France
and probably shatter some of the Doctors flattering hopes of
serving his country through the sides of France.
Will the Test go down ? will the Law for recruiting our
quota of Troops succeed. The Committee at camp I under-
stand will recommend measures for filling the Army, which I
expect will not be very agreeable to our people.
N. Carolina has agreed only to part of the Confederation
the other States I believe have done nothing with it as yet.
Virginia New York and Massachusetts Bay is unrepre-
sented. I am Sir your obedient and very h^ble
Servt J. Henry Jun^r