1. For hopes of a rendezvous, which did not occur, with a French fleet under Vice Admiral d’Estaing, see Planning for an Allied Attack on New York, c.3–7 Oct., editorial note.

2. Wadsworth probably had in mind a letter from the congressional committee superintending the quartermaster and commissary departments, written at Philadelphia on 13 Oct., that in part reads: “We wrote you in our last that 800 barrels of flour would be obtained from this State & forwarded directly. We are Sorry to inform you that on Examination only 47 barrels are on hand” (Smith, Letters of Delegates, description begins Paul H. Smith et al., eds. Letters of Delegates to Congress, 1774–1789. 26 vols. Washington, D.C., 1976–2000. description ends 14:66).

3. Wadsworth likely is referring in particular to a resolution that Congress had adopted on 9 July entreating “the executive powers of each State … to make the strictest enquiry into the conduct of every person within such State respectively employed, either in the quarter master general’s or purchasing or issuing commissary general’s departments, and in case of any kind of misbehaviour or strong suspicion thereof in any such person not being an officer immediately appointed by Congress, to remove or suspend every such person, ordering him at their discretion to be prosecuted at the expense of the United States, and to appoint another in his place” (JCC, description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends 14:812–13).

4. Wadsworth wrote the committee superintending the quartermaster and commissary departments from New Windsor, N.Y., on 5 Sept.: “our want of Bread and the distresses of the people of this State for West India goods have induced me this day to Promise them a supply of Sugar &c. for An imediate supply of Wheat or flour—I intreat Congress to enable me to comply with this my Promise as it was made in full belief that no other mode wou’d effectually supply us and I beg their approbation of my conduct in this matter—but if they disapprove it, I shall expect they will imediately signify their disapprobation—that I may govern my selfe Accordingly.

“I am in some doubt whether the people of this State if they begin imediately to thrash out their grain will be able to furnish us in season.

“Therefore earnestly request as much flour as Possible may come on from Philadelphia” (DNA:PCC, item 78). Congress read Wadsworth’s letter on 15 Sept. and referred it back to the committee that received the communication (JCC, description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends 15:1065). That committee issued a report on 30 Sept. critical of Wadsworth’s attempt to barter sugar for flour as “an ill influence on the credit of our money if generally adopted” and proposed a resolution, which gained approval, to purchase sugar and rum from Continental stores in Boston for distribution among the people of New York “at no higher price than will raise the amount of the prime cost and charges” (JCC, description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends 15:1130–32; see also Samuel Huntington to Wadsworth, 1 and 8 Oct., in Smith, Letters of Delegates, description begins Paul H. Smith et al., eds. Letters of Delegates to Congress, 1774–1789. 26 vols. Washington, D.C., 1976–2000. description ends 14:6, 46–47).

Wadsworth defended his actions in a letter to John Jay, then president of Congress, written from Murderers Creek near New Windsor on 30 Sept., which in part reads: “I am just now informed that Congress disapprove of my engaging to furnish the People of this State with Sugar for an imediate supply of flour I have already in my Letter to the Committee of Congress given them my reasons for Ventureing on the measure, which nothing wou’d have induced to undertake but a moral certainty of our being without Bread” (DNA:PCC, item 78). Congress read Wadsworth’s letter on 4 Oct. and referred it to the committee superintending the quartermaster and commissary general departments (JCC, description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends 15:1138; see also Jesse Root to Wadsworth, 6 Oct., in Smith, Letters of Delegates, description begins Paul H. Smith et al., eds. Letters of Delegates to Congress, 1774–1789. 26 vols. Washington, D.C., 1976–2000. description ends 14:36–37).

5. For Wadsworth’s sour relations with Congress, including his letter to Jay on 5 June tendering his resignation as commissary general of purchases, see GW to Wadsworth, 4 June, n.2.

In a letter written from Murderers Creek on 10 Oct. to Jay’s successor, Samuel Huntington, Wadsworth again indicated his desire to resign: “I shall consider my selfe Your Officer, ’till the end of the present Year (unless sooner dissmissed), and no longer: and shall hold my selfe at liberty to retire on the first day of the Year A.D. 1780—in the interim it will be impossible for me to execute the duties required of me without such supplies of money as will enable my purchasers to pay for what they purchase what they have not been able lately to do, and their credit will no longer feed the Army” (DNA:PCC, item 78). Congress read Wadsworth’s letter on 18 Oct. and referred it to the committee superintending the quartermaster and commissary departments (JCC, description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends 15:1184). When he heard nothing from Congress, Wadsworth wrote Huntington from New Windsor on 21 Nov.: “I am certain the new Commissary General will meet with many difficulties, that want of experience will Occasion, which might be prevented were he to be appointed some time before I leave the Army” (DNA:PCC, item 78). Congress read Wadsworth’s letter on 4 Dec., accepted his resignation, and elected Ephraim Blaine as his successor with the qualification “that Mr. Wadsworth, with the deputies under him, be desired to continue in the business of supplying the army, until his successor shall have accepted and shall be in capacity to enter upon and execute the duties of the office” (JCC, description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends 15:1347, 1349; see also GW to Huntington, 24 Nov.; JCC, description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends 15:1326, 1343; and Huntington to Wadsworth, 4 Dec., in Smith, Letters of Delegates, description begins Paul H. Smith et al., eds. Letters of Delegates to Congress, 1774–1789. 26 vols. Washington, D.C., 1976–2000. description ends 14:248–49).

Blaine wrote Huntington from Philadelphia on 7 Dec. to delay acceptance of his new post until he could “consult his Excellency Genl Washington on some Points, and have a Conference with Colo. Wadsworth … to inform my selfe fully, a few days will elapse, and I shall employ that time in going to head Quarters and returning with all speed, to visit on Congress and Offer my Sentiments in writing for supplying the Army” (DNA:PCC, item 165). Congress read Blaine’s letter on 8 Dec. (JCC, description begins Worthington Chauncey Ford et al., eds. Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. 34 vols. Washington, D.C., 1904–37. description ends 15:1362). For Blaine’s decision to accept appointment as commissary general of purchases, see his letters to Huntington, 5 and 12 Jan. 1780, both DNA:PCC, item 165.

6. For the details of this legislative enactment, see Conn. Public Records, description begins The Public Records of the State of Connecticut . . . with the Journal of the Council of Safety . . . and an Appendix. 18 vols. to date. Hartford, 1894–. description ends 2:408–11.

7. Royal Flint’s letter to Wadsworth of 25 Oct. has not been identified.

8. For Blaine’s recent correspondence regarding wheat and flour from Maryland, see letters to him from Robert Buchanan, 1 and 8 Oct.; from Conrad T. Wederstrandt, 4 Oct.; from Patrick Ewing, 9 Oct.; from William Smith, 15 and 18 Oct.; from Benjamin Chambers, 18 Oct.; and from Jacob Giles, Jr., 23 Oct., all DNA:PCC, item 41; see also Root to Wadsworth, 9 Sept., in Smith, Letters of Delegates, description begins Paul H. Smith et al., eds. Letters of Delegates to Congress, 1774–1789. 26 vols. Washington, D.C., 1976–2000. description ends 13:489–90.