To Thomas Jefferson from the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 8 May 1781
From the Virginia Delegates in Congress
Philadelphia May 8th. 1781
Sir
Having so lately and so often wrote to your Excellency we have little new to Communicate at present; the confusion respecting money still continues in this City, tho with less commotion than could be expected as in a few days the old Continental money has depreciated from two hundred to seven, eight, and some say nine Hundred for one, the new money has of course sufferd in proportion. What this Convulsion will end in, it is difficult to Surmise. In the mean time we are in infinite distress as may be easily supposed; the Currency of the old money has been stopp’d for some days past and it is said to day that the new is about to share the same fate. In the midst of these misfortunes we have the pleasure to transmit to Your Excellency a Copy of a letter from Genl. Cornell one of the members of the board of War, who has been directed by Congress to visit the Magazines, and if possible to send to the Southward such Arms Cloathing and Military stores as we are in want of. The Extract is as follows
“Inclosed is a return of Clotheing now on the Road and orderd to be sent immediately from this Place to the care of the board of War, for the Use of the Marquises detachment and the Southern Army, to which may be added one thousand Stand of good small arms orderd forward immediately by the Commander in Chief for the use of the Militia of the Southern States as the board of War shall direct. Early to Morrow morning I shall go to fish Kill with General Knox from which Place the General thinks two or three thousand Cartouch Boxes can be movd. If so they will be forwarded Immediately to the Southward. I Expect to be able to forward for the same Purpose two thousand Small Arms from Springfield exclusive of the Rampart Muskets, my prospects at present are better than I expected. New Windsor April 30th 1780.” Copy.
We have also the pleasure to acquaint your Excellency that about three thousand Suits of Cloathing are safely arrived at Boston from Spain, which our Friend the King of Spain has Enabled our Minister at that Court to procure. We are with the greatest respect Yr. Excelly’s most obedt. Servts,
M. Smith
Theodk: Bland
N.B. About 400 of the Rampart arms to be made into good Muskets and fixd with Bayonettes for the State as advised in ours of last week are finishd and will be sent forward immediatedly and the others are finishing with all possible Expedition.
RC (PHi); written and franked by Bland, signed by Smith and Bland; addressed and endorsed.
On 21 Apr. 1781 Congress directed that “Ezekiel Cornell, one of the commissioners of the Board of War, have leave of absence for six weeks agreably to his request … to visit the military stores and laboratory to the eastward, in the department of the commissary of military stores, and to take measures for removing arms, ammunition and stores from thence to the main army, or to the southward. …” (, xix, 434; , vi, No. 72.)