To George Washington from Anthony Wayne, 7 May 1781
Phila. 7th May 1781
DearGeneral
I was honored with your favor of the 18th Ultimo, an extract of which I immediately laid before Congress & the Executive Council of this State, accompanied by a letter to the latter of which the Inclosed is a Copy, with a view to stimulate them to facilitate the advance of the troops, but difficulties arrising in the manner of payment &ca &ca and perhaps an Idea that their services might be wanted nearer this place, has hitherto retarded our march, however those difficulties are nearly surmounted the artillery Second regiments are at wrights ferry on their way to York where they will be met by the first & fourth; the third will march from Easton tomorrow, & I expect to draw the whole together, so as to be able to take up our line of March from the General rendezvous in the course of next week, I shall proceed for that place tomorrow, and as soon as the Detatchment is properly Organized will do myself the honor of sending your Excellency a particular return of our force Stores &ca.
In the arrangement transmitted from Trenton in Jany last there were some omissions, & one mistake, which ought to be ratified agreeable to the within list; will your Excellency please to give the necessary Directions to the board of war on the Occation, & believe me with the sincerest Esteem Your Excellency’s most Obt and very Huml. Servt
Anty Wayne
DLC: Papers of George Washington.
Enclosure
Phila. 13th April 1781
Sir
Inclosed is an extract of a letter from his Excellency Genl Washington of the 8th instant, by which you’l see his anxiety & wishes for my advance towards the southward with as great a proportion of the Pennsa line as possible, without one moments delay.
every impediment is now removed except money sufficient to pay the gratuity or bounty, & the proportion of the Depreciation to the troops of this line, as directed by an act of assembly passed during their late session; for which and other purposes, bills of Credit to a considerable amount will be ready for emission by wednesday, & the Committee of the House appointed for the superintending this business assure me, that a sum adequate to the payment of the Detatchment (of which the Inclosed is a return) will be struck and signed by this day week.
permit me therefore to suggest the expediency of paying the Artillery, Second[,] third, fifth & Sixth Regiments first in rotation, in order to expedate the advance of the whole to York town, i.e. the Artill[ery] to be paid on Wednesday & thursday, the third & fifth on friday & saturday &ca & to march Immediately to the General rendezvous.
the accounts of each Individual being liquidated, & certificates given for the balance, it will require but little time to adjust the proportion of the Depreciation, which for the present (& until the treasury is better supplied) need only extend to the Officers & soldiers ordered for this Detatchment except about 120 more i.e. 20 to each regiment in addition to those already mentioned.
I beg leave to Inform your Excelly & the Honble Council in confidence, that if I am enabled to take up my line of march from the General rendezvous, by monday or tuesday week, we have the fairest prospect, in conjunction with other troops (ready for the purpose) to give a happy turn to affairs, by the Interception of the Grenadiers & light Infantry under Genl Phillips, pressing for a junction with Lord Cornwallis. Interim I have the Honor to be your Excellency’s Most Obt Humkl Sert
Anty Wayne