To George Washington from William Maltby Betts, 22 May 1780
From William Maltby Betts
Fish Kill [N.Y.] May 22d 1780
Sir
In Colonel Hay’s absence I am Honord with your Excellency’s Letters of the 15th & 17th1 and Colo. Tilghmans of the 19th enclosing one for Governor Clinton, which has beene forwarded as directed.2
Have wrote Colonel Lewis to forward the Plank, Tar, and Oakum, am of opinion he is not posses’d of the latter article, but have taken measures to obtain a small supply ’till a quantity arrives which I expect from Morristown, and which the bearer is sent to hasten on.
The number of Plank receiv’d from Colo. Lewis in the course of the Spring is very inconsiderable indeed we have some on the Confines of the River which I am now forwarding to the Fort.3
Every possible exertion is making to put the Boats in repair, but fear the number of men we now have are inadequate to the extent of the business and will not be able to accomplish it so soon as your Excellency wishes.4 In behalf of Colo. Hay, I have the Honor to be with the utmost Respect Your Excellency’s Mo. Obed. & Mo. Hble Servt
Wm M. Betts
ALS, DLC:GW.
Norwalk, Conn., native William Maltby (Maltbie) Betts (1759–1832), assistant deputy quartermaster under Lt. Col. Udny Hay at Fishkill, had served in the Connecticut militia. In August 1780, he received an appointment as an ensign in the 1st Connecticut Regiment. Later prominent in Norwalk, Betts held various local offices and represented the town in the Connecticut legislature during the early nineteenth century.
Betts wrote GW on 26 May from Fishkill: “By Colonel Lewis’s Letter in answer to mine respecting the Plank. I am inform’d we are not to expect the smallest supply of that Article from Albany. there has none arriv’d from that quarter this season. the Colo. likewise informs me General Schuylers Mills are Idle for want of Money and provision.
“I have receiv’d a supply of Oakum which will enable me to accomplish the repairs of the Boats” (ALS, DLC:GW). Neither the letter from Morgan Lewis to Betts, nor the letter from Betts to Lewis, has been identified.
1. Betts is referring to GW’s letters to Hay of 15 and 17 May. For Hay’s absence, see Robert Howe to GW, this date (first letter), and n.1.
2. The letter that GW’s aide-de-camp Tench Tilghman wrote Betts or Hay has not been identified. Tilghman probably had enclosed GW’s letter to New York governor George Clinton of 18 May.
3. Betts is referring to Fort Arnold at West Point.
4. GW had ordered these boat repairs in anticipation of a prospective allied assault on the British garrison at New York.