40 Journal and Correspondence

August 3

daily. The Requisition made by the Committee of Congress upon
the respective States for Provisions, are Calculated to supply Our
Army, which is very Shortly Expected in the field, and without a
speedy Complyance they Cannot long subsist, have in the most
pressing Terms to request your Excellency & Council, to urge your
State Commissioners, to use every possible Exertion, to facilitate
their respective Purchases and beg your Excellency not to Confine
them to the Quantity requested from the State, (whatever they Ex-
ceed) I shall take particular Care to make it a Continental Charge,
and Engage to see your State paid first Costs & Charges. The
flour you will Order delivered to the Commissary at the Head of
Elk or Christiana Bridge, The Cattle to Cap^t John Little of Phila-
delphia, whom I have Appointed to Superintend that Business and
to forward them regularly by Droves to Head Quarters. I shall be
happy in Adapting any measure which will make the delivery of
Supplies Easy to your State, and not be prejudicial to the United
States.
The sudden move of Our Army from Jersey to this place gave
me hopes of being in New York in a very few days, but Sir Henry
Clintons speedy return from his Intended Expedition against the
French at Rhode Island, with all his forces, has Occasioned his Ex-
cellency Gen^l Washington to postpone that Attempt for the present.
We are now recrossing North River and going to take Post at
Dobb's ferry, Eighteen Miles below this, where I presume we shall
remain, untill we have Accounts of the Arrival of the second Divi-
sion of the French fleet.

August 3

[Fran's Ware, Port Tobacco to His Excellency
Thomas S. Lee Esqr.]

May it please your Excellency Agreeable to your instructions
of the 26^th July. I have ordered 28 Recruits to Annapolis, under the
care of M^r Samuel Luckitt, Who I have Imployed to take Charge of
them, as I know of no Reagular officers being appointed to Receive
them have Enclosed their Enrolments &^c to Col^o Forrest, and should
be Glad you Would appoint a proper officer to Receive the next
Party at this Place, as I have a deserter or two in Custody, Who I
am Loath to trust With young hands, as they may Endeavour to
affect their Escape, shall make a Return of The Condition &c of
the public arms and ammunition under my Care in a very few days

August 3

[John Smith Brookes, U. Marlbro to The Honb^le The Governor
& Council]

Gentlemen Captⁿ Armstrong came to this place on Tuesday
evening with Maj^r Lee's partie of Rangers, and from the flood and
fateagued state of the Troops was under the necessaty of remaining