From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 10 July 1780

To Samuel Huntington

Head Quarters Bergen County 10th July 1780

Sir

I have, with great pleasure, seen the very laudable association of the Merchants of Philadelphia, for procuring a quantity of provisions and Rum for the Army.1 I am well persuaded, that the same spirit exists in those of the other considerable trading Towns, who, perhaps, only want being made acquainted with the distresses of the Army, in Articles almost as essential as those of provision, to produce similar associations for the purposes of providing such matters as may be recommended to them.

We are so scantily supplied with Marquees and Tents, and have so little prospect of procuring a sufficient number by the common means—that some Gentlemen have suggested the propriety and expediency of an address to the Merchants, from New London to Portsmouth inclusive, requesting their assistance at this critical time, and giving them the same assurances of reimbursement, which have been given to the Merchants of Philadelphia2—By the estimates of the Quarter Master General, a sum, not exceeding forty thousand pounds lawful Money, would make a sufficient provision of Marquees—Tents—Knapsacks and some other Articles in that way,3 and should the mode, I have hinted, be thought advisable, he would furnish the proportions which each Town should, in his opinion, be requested to provide. Some private letters have, I beleive, been written to the principal trading Gentlemen to the Eastward on this subject, which may perhaps produce an offer on their parts; but I am so exceedingly anxious on account of the backward state of our preparations of every kind, that I cannot help recommending an application to them, notwithstanding, by Congress collectively, or thro’ their own Delegates, as may be judged most proper.

I observe that, by the present regulations of the Bank of Philadelphia, the Funds are to be applied solely to the purchase of Rum and provision—but if an application of part of them could be diverted to the purchase of Tents (the materials for making which I am told are plenty in Philada) it would add to our stock in a very little time. The Committee of Cooperation have already recommended this deviation, and I beg leave to express my concurrence with them.4 I have the honor to be with the greatest Respect Yr Excellency’s most obt Servt

Go: Washington

P.S. Inclosed you will find the Qr Mr General Estimate of the quantity of Tents &ca necessary—their Cost, and the proportions to be drawn from the several towns.5

LS, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DNA:PCC, item 152; Df, DLC:GW; copy, DNA:PCC, item 169; copy, M-Ar; copy, Nh-Ar: Weare Papers; copy (incomplete), R-Ar; copy (photocopy), DLC:GW, ser. 9; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The copies in M-Ar and Nh-Ar do not include the postscript. The copy in R-Ar is missing the final page. Congress read this letter on 13 July and ordered “That so much thereof, as relates to the association of the merchants of Philadelphia, be referred to the committee appointed to confer with the inspectors and directors of the proposed bank: and, That the remainder be referred to the delegates for the states of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island and Connecticut” (JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 17:609). The delegates reported on 18 July and Congress resolved to address the executives of the New England states to recommend they take “speedy and effectual” measures to procure tents and camp equipage (JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 17:640). Enclosing the act of 18 July, Huntington sent copies of this letter with its enclosure to the executives of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire (see Huntington to Certain States, 21 July, in Smith, Letters of Delegates description begins Paul H. Smith et al., eds. Letters of Delegates to Congress, 1774–1789. 26 vols. Washington, D.C., 1976–2000. description ends , 15:481–82).

1. For this association of leading Philadelphia citizens, see Philip Schuyler to GW, 18 June, and n.4; see also GW to George Clymer and John Nixon, 14 Aug., and n.1 to that document.

2. See JCC description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends , 17:548–50.

3. See Nathanael Greene to GW, 8 July; see also Greene to GW, 7 July.

4. See Committee at Headquarters to Huntington and to the Philadelphia Merchants’ Association, both this date, in Smith, Letters of Delegates description begins Paul H. Smith et al., eds. Letters of Delegates to Congress, 1774–1789. 26 vols. Washington, D.C., 1976–2000. description ends , 15:415–17.

5. This enclosure has not been identified.

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Source Project: Washington Papers
Title: From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 10 July 1780
Author: Washington, George
Recipient: Huntington, Samuel
Date: 10 July 1780

Reference

Cite as: “From George Washington to Samuel Huntington, 10 July 1780,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-27-02-0041. [Original source: The Papers of George Washington, Revolutionary War Series, vol. 27, 5 July–27 August 1780, ed. Benjamin L. Huggins. Charlottesville: University of Virginia Press, 2019, pp. 55–57.]

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