To George Washington from Colonel Jacob Bayley, 15 October 1776
From Colonel Jacob Bayley
Fish Kells [N.Y.] October 15th 1776
Sr
I was determined to have waited on your Excelencey befor this but am detained here being a Member of the Convention of this State I Send by the Hand of Mr William Wallace an account of the Expence of the Road from Newbury to St Johns.1 untill we retreated with the Stores Provided to Compleat the Same which were moved on the road thirty Miles I only Charge what was Expended until our return the remaindor I Expended In the Defence of our Frontiers which to us much needed. what Tools we had Provided are kept In Store which I will Make a return of and Dispose of as Directed Two Horses also remaining I will make The best of I am able when I return.
as I Ingaged the hands Immedeate Payment Should be Glad the account Sent or So much as appears reasonable might be Paid Mr William Wallace whose Discharge or Recipt I Elow as my own. I am Sr your Excelencys most obedient Humble Servt
Jacob Bayley
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. In the convention Bayley represented Gloucester County, N.Y., which consisted of the northeastern part of present-day Vermont, including Newbury where Bayley lived. For Bayley’s efforts to build a road from Newbury (or Coos as that area was often called) to St. Jean in Canada, see his letter to GW of 15 April 1776. The enclosed undated account, which follows this letter in DLC:GW, ser. 4, lists expenses totaling £982.6.5½, from which Bayley deducted £250 that GW had given to Wallace the previous April, leaving a balance due of £732.6.5½ (see GW to Bayley, 29 April 1776). The expenses are principally for the wages of six overseers at £4 a month and “110 Men Engadged at 3£ pr Month and found in provisions with ½ pint of Rum pr Man each day.” Bayley also charged £30 for his “Own Time and Expences in Raising the Men and Superintending the Work” and £22.10 for Wallace’s “time and Expence as Clerk and Comisarey.”