To George Washington from James Wilkinson, 17 October 1780
From James Wilkinson
Phila Octr 17th 1780
sir
Since my Letter of the 11th Inst: I have had an Interview with the Board of War—and obtained the inclosed State of their Purchases;1 I am sorry that the subsequent Correspondence (of which a Copy is inclosed) should damp the expectations raised by my first Information:2 I have every reason to conclude that the Woollens alluded to in the Letter of the 16th Inst: comprehend the whole of the Blankets & Winter Clothing in the Hands of Otis & Henly, and I am morally certain, from some deception in the Contract, that the Public will never be the better for them.
I have not yet been able to obtain a farthing of Money, tho I expect this day to borrow a sufficient sum to carry me to your Excellencys Quarters, and propose seting out Tommorrow or next day.3
Col: Febiger is here & will I doubt not carry every Article which can be scraped together in this Quarter to the southward—The Western Dept has not I believe the least Provision made for it. I have the Honor to be with the highest respect Your Excellencys Most Obd. & ready Servant
James Wilkinson
N.B: I hope to be able to carry your Excellency the determination of the Committee now seting on the Clothing Dept.
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. The enclosed return from the Board of War, dated 14 Oct., begins: “There are in Otis & Henleys hands—Woolens enough for 14,000 blankets 2,300 Suits & 400 or 500 Vests, & breeches, exclusive. and Linen for 8 or 10,000 Shirts and 2 or 3,000 Overalls.” The return then lists individuals with additional woolens and linens for making suits, shirts, overalls, and hats (DLC:GW; see also Wilkinson to GW, 11 Oct., and Otis & Henley to GW, 25 Oct.).
2. The enclosure from Wilkinson to the Board of War dated 16 Oct. sought information on “further prospects” for clothes and the deliberations of a congressional committee reviewing “the subject of the Clothing department” (DLC:GW). The committee sent recommendations on 4 Nov. (see , 18:1018–21).
The enclosed reply from the Board of War to Wilkinson on the same date indicated that “nothing further” was known except “that the several States” would be called upon for necessary articles and that “a letter from Otis & Henly of a very disagreeable nature” had arrived with news “that there will be some difficulty in obtaining the woollens at Boston” (DLC:GW).
3. On 28 Oct., with Board of War approval, Congress authorized Wilkinson to receive a warrant “for fifty thousand dollars, for the contingent expences of his office” (, 18:988). Wilkinson was with the army when he wrote GW on 7 Nov. (DLC:GW).