I have been rendered extremely unhappy by the disappointment of my expectations in regard to the ox teams. Mr Morris desired the purchases might be begun on credit, and wrote me a letter in which he promised to enable me punctually to fulfil my engagements. A copy of this letter I sent to each of my deputies in New England, with my instructions relative to the purchases. The teams could not be bought on credit. Mr Morris supposed his notes (in which he originally meant to make payment) would pass there (as well as here) as cash: but they had no currency under a discount of from five to twelve or fifteen per cent; and he forbad their being passed at any the least discount, whether the teams were purchased or not. Cash he could not furnish, till the states paid their taxes, even if the opening of the campaign were thereby delayed. Finally, on the 8th instant, I obtained & sent a quantity of his notes to Mr Pomeroy & Colo. Hatch. As they are, I believe, more forward in Connecticut with their taxes, I hope Mr Pomeroy will succeed. I have desired Colo. Hatch & Colo. Dearborn to endeavour to exchange the notes with their respective treasur[ies] and if this failed, to try to get as many teams as they could of such towns as should be willing to furnish them by way of assessment upon themselves, giving them the notes in payment, which would be accepted by the receiver of the superintendant in part of such towns Continental tax.

The sum I sent to Mr Pomeroy I judged sufficient for his purchases: that sent to Colo. Hatch was greatly deficient, altho’ Mr Morris gave me every note he had. I expect to receive more, to complete the purchases of ox-teams, and to finish my business in town, in the course of this week. I have the honour to be with the greatest respect your Excellency’s most obedient servant