I have received your Excellencys Letter of the 23 November inclosing one to Sir Guy Carleton which I have forwarded to New York and I have directed Colonel Smith our Commissary of Prisoners to receive any monies that may be sent out on that account.

I am sorry to hear that the ragged state of your Soldiers in the line, should prevent your recruiting, it cannot be attributed to any partiallity in the Secretary at War. I know that very considerable appropriations of Cloathing have been made for the Southern Army but such is the difficulty of getting it transported thro’ the Southern States, that it is generally many Months on its passage and very often great part of what is sent never arrives.

When I directed General Muhlenberg to remove to Winchester I at the same time directed him to make his arrangements with the Secretary at War for the necessary supplies for the Recruits that should come in, and I have no doubt the Secretary at War will pay every attention to his applications, that it is in his power to do. With very great regard and Esteem I have the honor to be Dr Sir Your Excellency’s Most Obedient Servt