George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-28-02-0224

From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 1 October 1780

To Joseph Reed

Head Quarters Orange Town 1st Octobr 1780

Dear Sir

I am under the necessity of laying before your Excellency, the Copy of a representation made to me yesterday, by the Commy General of Issues, on the subject of Flour.1 The representation goes so fully and truly into our present situation and prospects, that I shall only refer your Excellency to it, and then intreat you to exert your authority and influence, with the Agents and all others concerned, in procuring and forwarding a supply to Trenton without delay.

Of 470 Barrels which were in the Magazine at West point, I have been unavoidably obliged to draw down 300 to this Army, by which, that valuable post may be endangered, should the Enemy endeavour to obtain by force, what they attempted to gain by treachery; but in which they have been so providentially disappointed.2

I most sincerely condole with your Excellency on the loss of your amiable Lady—The news of that melancholy event was imparted to me by the Minister of France on my jou[r]ney from Harford.3 I have the Honor to be with great Respect & Esteem Yr Excellency’s Most obt and humble Servt

Go: Washington

LS, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1See Charles Stewart to GW, 30 Sept., found at GW to Samuel Huntington, this date, n.2.

3Esther De Berdt Reed died on 18 Sept. after a short illness (see Reed, Joseph Reed description begins William B. Reed. Life and Correspondence of Joseph Reed, Military Secretary of Washington, at Cambridge; Adjutant-General of the Continental Army; Member of the Congress of the United States; and President of the Executive Council of the State of Pennsylvania. 2 vols. Philadelphia, 1847. description ends , 2:253–71). For GW’s encounter with French minister La Luzerne, see Nathanael Greene to GW, 23 Sept., n.4.

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