From George Washington to Colonel George Baylor, 3 August 1778
To Colonel George Baylor
Head Quarters White plains 3d Augt 1778
Dear Sir
I am favd with yours of the 13th ulto. As you seem to have proceeded as far as you can in the purchase of Horses without indulging the exorbitant demands of the holders, I would have you desist, and come immediately to Camp with all the Officers, Men and Horses. If you have any Arms or Accoutrements unfinished, or any Men and Horses unfit to come forward when this order reaches you, I would have you leave an Officer, upon whose diligence you can depend, to bring them on when they are ready.
Lieut. Baylor under arrest for gaming, is to come on with you.
I have written to Colo. Bland and desired him to give over purchasing, and to come on to Camp also, as it is my intent to draw as strong a Body of Cavalry as possible together, that we may keep the Enemy from foraging or drawing other supplies from this part of the Country.1 I am Dear Sir Your most obt Servt
Go: Washington
LS, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, NNU-F: Richard Maass Collection; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW signed the cover of the LS, which was offered for sale in 1988 (Robert F. Batchelder catalog 64, item 16).
1. GW’s letter to Col. Theodorick Bland of this date informed him that Baylor’s letter of 13 July had led GW to conclude that “Horses had got to such ⟨e⟩xtravagant prices that it was in vain to think of procuring but very few more for Dragoon Service.” GW informed Bland of the instructions given to Baylor and told him: “I desire you may do the same” (LS, ViW: Charles Campbell Papers; see also DLC:GW).