Dr. Sir:
I just now received yours by express as also one by Mr. Boyd whom I have supplied with money agreeable to your request. Shall also send waggons accordingly; but as to fire arms, very few may be expected from this Quarter. The Enemy destroyed the Stocks, &c., of what I was getting in order.
I have not canvass to answer your demand, its true I have in care a small quantity of duck for which my receipt is given, and is purely reserved for the use of making overalls, &c. for General Greene's army. I have sent Steel to Mr. Tillery who will get axes made in order to supply your camp with that article.
You seem to limit me to a small number of artificers, which I
think will be inadequate to furnishing the army with necessaries most essentially required, by which means supplies of various kinds such as depend on artificers to perform must be expected to come but slowly. However, its probable you may obtain many of those accoutrements from the Quarter-Master Genl. of the Militia, who, no doubt will carry on such business more extensively as I am apprehensive, he is unlimited as to numbers. The following is a Catalogue of various Soldiers employed as artificers, Waggoners, &c., under my direction, vizt:Express rider Samuel Taylor 12 months he is not capable of marching, finds himself a horse, and is a proper person for that business, and we have no money to expend for that purpose. I should be glad you let him return to me.
40 in all.
There are sundry persons who have agreed to furnish a particular number of shoes for their tour of 12 months, whose names I cannot at present give you, as my books, papers, &c. are not yet come to hand. A few others may be in the Quarter master's department, whose names are not remembered in the same account. I expect my papers down in a few days, and as soon as possible will make you a just return.
I am much in want of James White, William Rowland and Joshua Paddysaul; should be glad you would send them to my assistance. I think you have a number of men in camp that would render the public much more service in manufacturing necessaries, Arms, accoutrements, &c., than to be in the lines, and chief of their time in Idleness.
I have forgot waggon makers, &c., here is