To George Washington from George Measam, 20 October 1778
From George Measam
Springfield [Mass.] Oct. 20th 1778
Sir,
In my last of yesterday I advised your Excellency that I had sent off nearly all the Blankets in this Store 6 Bales and a Hhd remaining;1 But upon examination there proves to be 1482 as pr this Invoice,2 besides sufficient to complete your order to Colonel Alden’s Lt Col: Butler of the 4th Pennsyla and Major Posey’s Corps; and a very few remain which will come on in the next.
I have endeavoured to send the ordinary Uniforms first; the remainder as fast as possible, but the Hose &ca are yet on the Road from Ports-mouth. I believe no more Blankets are expected. I have the honor to be, Your Excellency’s Most obedient Servant
Geo. Measam
7498 Blankets gone, 1482 now by Hesekah Spencer, Conductr as pr his Rect enclosed.3
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Measam’s letter to GW of 19 Oct. has not been found.
2. The heading of the enclosed document, which is dated 20 Oct. “at the Public Cloathing Store Springfield” and is signed by Measam, reads: “Invoice of Twenty Hhds and Ten Cases of Cloathing the Property of the United States, Consigned to the order of His Excellency General Washington at Fredericksburg or elsewhere Hhead Quarters; sent by order of His Excellency. Under care of Mr Hesekah Spencer Conductr.” This consignment included 1,482 blankets, 530 brown coats faced with red, 625 blue coats faced with red, 1,448 white waistcoats, and 1,458 white breeches (DLC:GW).
3. This receipt has not been identified. The conductor apparently was Hezekiah Spencer, Sr. (1740–1797), of Connecticut.