of the Council of Maryland, 1778-1779. 505

the inconveniences which had prevailed for want of System in
the Cloathing department, and the necessity there was for an
early appointment of State or Sub Cloathiers agreable to the
Ordinance established by Congress, by their Act of the 23^d of
March, with which I presumed Your Excellency had been
made acquainted. I am now under the necessity of troubling
you with a farther address, upon the subject of Cloathing
itself. From the best information I have been able to obtain,
both from Returns and particular inquiries, I fear there is but
too much reason to apprehend, that unless the Respective
States interpose with their exertions, our supplies of this
essential Article will be very deficient; and that the Troops
may again experience on this account, a part of those dis-
tresses, which were so severely and injuriously felt in past
stages of the war; and which a regard to the interests of the
States as well as to the duties of humanity, should prevent, if
it be practicable. I do not know exactly how matters will turn
out with respect to Woollen Cloathing, I should hope tolerably
well, but if the attention of the State should even go to this,
there will be little probability of our having an over supply; But
the Articles to which I would take the liberty to solicit Your
Excellency's more particular attention, are Blankets, shirts,
Shoes & Hats (more especially the two first) as our prospect
of these is by no means pleasing and such indeed as decides,
that the supply from the Continental Cloathiers and Agents
will fall far short, or at least stand upon too critical and pre-
carious a footing. The importance and advantages of good
supplies of Cloathing are evident and they have been most re-
markably and happily demonstrated in the health of the Troops,
since they have been pretty comfortably provided for in this
instance; a circumstance of all others the most interesting.
While I am on the subject of these things I would also beg
leave to add, that the condition of the Officers in this respect,
appears to me to require the attention of their States. It is
really in many instances painfully distressing. The want of
necessaries and of the means of procuring them, at the present
exorbitant prices, has compelled a great many Officers of good
reputation and merit to resign their Commissions; and if they
are not relieved, it must be the case with many Others, as they
will have no alternative.
I have the Honor to be
with the greatest respect
and esteem
His Excell^cy Your Excellency's
Gov^r Johnson Most Obed^t Servant
G^o Washington

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