From George Washington to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 8 February 1776
To Jonathan Trumbull, Sr.
Cambridge Feby 8th 1776
Sir
I last night received intelligence of the arrival of some powder in your Colony by the Sloop Macarone, and the report is that she brought Arms too—As my last letters from Philadelphia do not promise me hopes of an immediate supply of those necessaries, and as the exigency of this Army, at this particular crisis, calls for much more than what we have, I must beg the favor of you to interest yourself that they may be sent to this Camp as expeditiously as possible—If they belong to the Colony I will take them on the Continent’s Account, and pay for them, or replace the powder if that shall be thought more advisable, as soon as I have an opportunity of doing it, which I hope will not be long—If to private Gentlemen, I shall be much obliged by your friendly exertions that I may have it—I should not have made this application, did not the present state of matters call for all that can be collected, and have not the least doubt of your best endeavours for its being complied with.1 I am Sir with much esteem & regard Your most obedt humle Servant
Go. Washington
LB, Ct: Trumbull Papers; LB, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. This cargo of military stores was imported from the West Indies as a joint venture by Connecticut and Massachusetts, each colony supplying capital for the voyage. On 3 Feb. Nathaniel Shaw, Jr., wrote to Trumbull from New London: “Last evening the Sloop Macaroni, Capt. [Joseph] Packwood arrived in thirty days from Martinico after a very tedious passage, was over sett and lost his boom and bowsprit, mate and one hand, and most of his people froze, he has on board about eight thousand weight of Powder, Swivells, Musketts, Pistols, he had been to all the Islands and could not get any more.... Capt. Packwood has left Two thousand pounds in the West Indies, part at St Eustatia and part at Martinico to be laid out in Powder, soon as it arrives. In short I am convinced he has done every thing in his power to obtain it.... At the time Capt. Packwood Sailed Major Thompson of the Massachusetts gave Packwood £1400 L. Money to lay out in Powder for their account, and as he has not been able to lay out the whole, whether he must have his proportion, or only what remains after our money was laid out, you’l please to direct. I sent out £1700 and what he is to have may be of that at Providence” (, 3:1111–12). For the distribution of the cargo, see Trumbull to GW, 12 Feb. 1776.