From George Washington to John Pierce, Jr., 20 June 1779
To John Pierce, Jr.
Smith’s in the Clove [N.Y.] June 20. 1779
Sir
In the Course of the Winter sundry Warrants were granted to Virginia Officers in order to obtain Money for paying bounties given by the State to such of their Men as should reinlist.1 I do not know the amount. Captain Moss the Bearer of this has come to Camp to replace the advances on the part of the State. You will be pleased to make out an account of them & settle it with him.2 If The Money Captain Moss has with him should not be sufficient to pay the whole, yet you will receive it as far as it will go.
After you have settled with Captain Moss which you will accomplish as soon as you can, you will proceed to Chester in the State of New York & with the Money Chest—and if you should find when you arrive there that you can be tolerably w[e]ll accomodated for doing business where part of the Army lies in Smith’s Clove you will move there.3 you will advise me by the earliest opportunity of your arrival.4 I am Sir Yr Most Obedt sert
G.W.
Df, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. See GW to Daniel Morgan, 12 Nov. 1778, and to Patrick Henry, 23 Nov. 1778.
2. GW wrote John Moss, an agent for Virginia, from Smiths Clove on this date: “In the course of the Winter sundry Sums of money were advanced by Warrants on the pay Master General to Virginia Officers for paying bounties granted by the State to such Men as should reinlist. I do not know the amount of the Warrants; but you will call on the Deputy Pay Master, Mr Pierce, now at New German Town and settle the matter with him—and replace the Money in the Military Chest—out of the Money you have in your hands belonging to the State” (Df, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW).
3. GW wrote a related letter to the auditors of the army on this date, also from Smiths Clove. It reads: “I have written to Mr Pierce to proceed with the Military Chest to Chester in the State of New York—and if he finds when he arrives there that he can be tolerably well accomodated for doing business where part of the Army lies in Smith’s Clove to move there. As your Office is connected with the paymaster’s—you will move with Mr pierce” (Df, in Robert Hanson Harrison’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW).
4. Pierce’s desire to visit Philadelphia comes to light in a letter from GW’s secretary Robert Hanson Harrison to him, dated 23 June (Wednesday), 9:00 P.M.: “I have been favoured with your Letter of the 20th Instant. On sunday His Excellency wrote You & requested that the Military Chest might be removed to Chester and from thence to the Camp in Smiths Clove if you could be accomodated there for doing business. This is still the General’s wish. As to your going to Philadelphia he will have no objection, if there is a Gentleman left with the Military Chest to do the duties of the Office in your absence. At the same time He hopes that you will return as soon as you can” (DLC:GW).