To George Washington from James Gray, 1 March 1779
From James Gray
Albany March 1t 1779
Hon’d Sir
With this you will receive my Decr Return, it is at a late day, by reason that some of my Assists. are at a great distance, and the roads so bad, there has been little or no Travelling.1 I may add Also my Assistants had to learn, and are yet learning to make Returns—hope we shall all do better next time. With the greatest Respect and Esteem I am Hon’d Sir Your Most Obedt And Verry Hble Servt
Jas Gray
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Gray, assistant commissary of issues for the northern department since his appointment by Congress on 19 Oct. 1778, enclosed tables with the titles “A Return of Stores and Provisions on hand and Receiv’d at the several Posts and Places in the Northern Department in the Month of December–1778” and “A Return of Stores and Provisions Issued Forwarded and Remaining on hand at the several Posts and Places in the Northern Department in the Month of December 1778” (DNA: RG 93, manuscript file no. 22017). These returns contain information from eighteen assistant commissaries on flour, hard bread, cattle, sheep, hogs, salted pork, salted beef, rum, brandy, geneva, wine, soap, candles, salt, rice, peas, wheat, molasses, oatmeal, hides, rendered tallow, unrendered tallow, and neat’s feet.