From George Washington to Peter Colt, 7 February 1778
To Peter Colt
[Valley Forge, 7 February 1778]
Sir,
The present situation of the army is the most melancholy that can be conceived. Our supplies in provisions of the flesh kind for some time past have been very deficient and irregular—a prospect now opens of absolute want, such as will make it impossible to keep the army much longer from dissolving, unless the most vigorous and effectual measures be persued to prevent it. Jersey Pensylvania and Maryland are now intirely exhaus[t]ed—All the Beef & pork already collected in them or that can be collected, will not by any means support the army one month longer. Further to the Southward some quantities of salt provision have been procured; but if they were all on the spot they would afford but a very partial and temporary supply. The difficulty of transportation is great: The distance will not allow it to be effected, by land Carriage; and the navigation up Chesapeak bay is interrupted by the enemy’s vessels, which makes it very precarious when we shall get any material relief from that quarter—To the Eas[t]ward only can we turn our eyes with any reasonable hope of timely and adequate succour. If every possible exertion is not made use of there, to send us immediate and ample supplies of Cattle, with pain I speak the alarming truth, no human efforts can keep the army from speedily disbanding.
I have desired Col: Blain to give you a just state of our situation, and to send an active man in his department to you to hurry on to Camp whatever cattle you may be able to purchase. I cannot forbear, so urgent is the necessity of the case, accompanying his representation by a similar one from myself. You are ca⟨lled⟩ upon by every motive, that ought to influence you in your official capacity and as a well wisher to the army to strain every nerve and exert your utmost activity—towards affording us, the assistance we indispensably stand in need of and without a moments loss of time. I persuade myself you will duly consider the infinite importance of leaving nothing undone that may be in your power; and as I know the state of Connecticut abounds in the article we want—I flatter myself we shall not be left to feel the calamitous consequences with which we are now threatened.
Mr Blain will inform you of the quantity of cattle we require for an instant supply—to be at camp by the latter end of this month. This you will push forward with all expedition; and continue your most zealous endeavours to preserve us hereafter from experiencing the same distresses and embarrassments to which we have been heretofore too frequently exposed. I have written to Governor Trumbull to beg his concurrence and aid in this matter, of which I doubt not you will properly avail yourself.1
I am informed there are considerable quantities of salt provisions laid up in New England; as it is inconvenient, tedious and extremely expensive to transport them to this army, I have directed General Putnam, to make use of them almost wholly, for the troops under his command, and to let all the cattle that can be procured come on to us; which will be equally conducive to dispatch and œconomy.2 As far as this may depend upon you, I should wish the rule to be strictly observed. I am Sir Yr Hble servant
Go: Washington
Df, in Alexander Hamilton’s and Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, addressed to Henry Champion, Sr., DLC:GW. At the end of the first paragraph of Hamilton’s draft, Robert Hanson Harrison drew a symbol to indicate the insertion of the following sentence and closing, which he wrote on a separate sheet: “I have much confidence in your zeal and activity and I trust upon this occasion they will be exerted in a peculiar manner to hurry on to Camp all the Cattle you may be able to purchase. I am Sir Yr Hble servant Go: Washington.” At the bottom of the sheet, Harrison wrote, “To Henry Champion, Esqr Purchasing Commy in Connecticut,” which indicates that a letter was sent to Champion consisting of the first paragraph of Hamilton’s draft to Colt and the additional sentence and closing added by Harrison. The additional three paragraphs appearing on the Hamilton draft, at the bottom of which Harrison wrote “To Peter Colt, Esqr purchasg Commsy in Connecticut,” apparently were sent only to Colt. Hamilton’s original docket reads “To Comy of Purchases Connecticut feby 7th 1778.” An additional later docket on the back of the letter also dates it 7 Feb. but indicates that it was sent to Henry Champion, Sr. Champion’s reply of 28 Feb. dates GW’s letter to him as 17 rather than 7 February.