To George Washington from Ezekiel Cheever, 25 May 1778
From Ezekiel Cheever
Springfield [Mass.] May 25. 1778
Hond Sir
The impractibility of procuring Teams at this place for the want of money has prevented my Sending on the Arms Sooner then last Saturday, when I Sent to Fish Kill 2,000 well fixed fire arms &c. as ⅌ Invo. enclosed.1 By Some Teams Hired by this State for the purpose of Carrying Cloathing to the Grand Camp whom General Heath ordered to Call upon me & take Such Stores as I had in readiness—otherwise I Could not possibly have got them on.
Yesterday P.M. mr Condtr Frothingham arrived here by order of Generl Knox to forward the arms aforementioned.2 I Thought it most prudent to detain Him ’till this evening hoping Some more Teams might offer while wrighting these. I am honoured with your Excellencys Commands & no immediate prospect of any more teams shall Send Mr Dep. Comry Collins3 with mr Frothingham to push the arms on agreeable to your directions. with the utmost expedition, and give you the earlist notice of thair proceedings I have the honr to be with gratest respect Your Excellencys most obedient Hume Servt
Ezekl Cheever D.C.G.M. Stores
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. The enclosed “Invoice of Ordnance Stores sent to the Grand Army,” dated 25 May at Springfield, lists lead, tents, gun worms, and “new French Fire Arms Compleat” (DLC:GW).
2. Richard Frothingham (1748–1819) of Charlestown, Mass., was appointed field commissary of military stores for the main army in September 1782.
3. John Collins was convicted of fraud in March 1781 and banished to a Continental warship (see General Orders, 23 Mar. 1781).