From George Washington to John Hunter, 16 May 1755
To John Hunter
[Winchester, 16 May 1755]
To Jno. Hunter Esqr.Hampton
Sir
I have Orders from the Genl,1 and Instructions from Mr Johnston,2 the Dy Paymaster Genl to receive 4,000£s Sterg at the rate of £4.0.7¼ pr Oz.;3 which will they say suffice for the present contingencies. I have therefore dispatchd this express, with orders to make all imaginable haste to you, who I am told will imediately repair to Wmsburg with the money, and pay it there, according to contract.4 I must beg your utmost diligence in this affair as I have Order’s not to wait, because
the whole Army will halt at Wills Creek till I return, at an immense expence.
I have Letter’s from the Genl and Paymaster, with Bills and proper Instruction’s; all of which I shall deliver when I have the pleasure of meeting you, which & this I expect will be (in Williamsburg)5 on Wednesday next,6 as I am now upon my way down, and shall delay no time. I am &ca on the journey.
G.W——n
LB (original), DLC:GW; LB, DLC:GW.
2. The document has not been found. See Edward Braddock to GW, 15 May 1755, n.2.
3. Gold was valued at £4 7¼d. sterling an ounce by the British Treasury.
4. The contract which Thomlinson & Hanbury signed with the British government late in 1754 called for the firm’s agents to provide cash for the North American forces as needed at Boston and Williamsburg. In return the firm received a 2 percent commission on all funds handled.
5. The parentheses were added later by GW.
6. 21 May 1755.