To George Washington from Major General Thomas Mifflin, 27 May 1777
From Major General Thomas Mifflin
Philadelphia—27th May 1777
My dear General
Mr Hancock has directed me to inform you that upon the Request of several Members of Congress, who judgd my Attendance here for some Days necessary, I must remain in Philada unless the Buisiness of the Army cannot be executed to your Satisfaction by the Gentlemen who are now with you as Depy Qr Mrs Genl.
In the mean Time I have my Hands filld with the Formation of the Department & the Settlement of innumerable intricate Accounts of our Expences last Campaign.
I have provided almost every Article sufficient for this Campaign except Tents: the Want of which Col. Biddle complains heavily in a Letter dated the 26h Inst. The following is the State of my Tent Account.
I have on hand at Philada 500 Tents exclusive of 500 Tents imported from France & hourly expected from Senepuxent.
I have long since sent to Boston for all the Tents in & near that Town & have taken every Method to procure from Mr Brown & others all the Tent Cloth that can be purchasd. If Col. Biddle has been frugal he cannot want Tents. But to prevent any ill Consequences from Miscarriages on the Road &ca I will send off to Morrow 300 Tents to him.
It is impossible to gratify the Officers with Marquees at this Time—they must fair as British Officers frequently fair—i.e.—put up with good Tents.
A Major Lutterlow who has been much caressd by Doctor Franklins intimate Friends here waits on your Excellency by Advice of several Members of Congress—He knows the many Blunders which have been committed by hasty Appointments in our Army & will not urge his Interest too far—I beleive from his Conduct here that he is a Gentleman of Sense, much Modesty, & Breeding. I have the Honor to be Your Excellencys Obt hle Sert
Thomas Mifflin
ALS, DLC:GW.