From George Washington to Colonel Charles Stewart, 4 June 1779
To Charles Stewart
Morris Town [N.J.] June 4th 1779
Sir,
The enemy seem more and more to be in earnest in their operations against the Highlands.1 This will oblige us to take such positions with the army as will make its subsistence infinitely difficult, without the greatest possible care and exertion. I am to press your particular attention to the forwarding the supplies in your department as fast as may be necessary. If the ordinary means in your power do not suffice; you will communicate this letter and solicit the interposition and aid of the civil authority. No measure is to be omitted that the exigence of the service may require. The juncture is pressing and truly important.2 I am with regard Sir Yr Obedient servant
Go: Washington
LS, in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, MH: Stewart Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW signed the cover of the LS, which was addressed to Stewart at Easton, Pennsylvania.
1. For the British operations then under way up the Hudson River, see William De Hart to GW, 30 May, n.1, and General Orders, 1 June, n.1.
2. Later on this date, when in Pompton, N.J., GW again wrote Stewart: “The army is on its march to take a position on the communication from Easton to New Windsor—You will therefore send a part of the supplies coming from Philadelphia to Easton and another part by way of Trenton Morris Town &. By making use of these two communications you will make the transportation and consequently the subsistence of the army the easier. The exigency of the occasion demands that every possible exertion should be made to keep up an ample and uniform supply, otherwise we may experience the most distressing extremities” (Df, in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW).