George Washington Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/03-01-02-0282

From George Washington to Nicholas Cooke, 31 August 1775

To Nicholas Cooke

Camp at Cambridge August 31st 1775

Sir

Last Night I received Information that Messr Clarke & Nightingale of Providence had imported a Quantity of Gun Powder, Lead & 500 Stand of Arms:1 Upon which I have dispatch’d Capt. Baylor one of my Aids de Camp to treat with those Gentlemen for the whole Importation if not otherwise dispos’d of. I have directed him to wait upon you immediately on his Arrival & must beg the Favor of your Advice & Assistance both in negociating the Purchase, & transporting it hither in the cheapest, Safest and most expeditious Manner. I flatter myself those Gentlemen will not take an under2 Advantage of the Distresses of their Country so as to exact an unreasonable Price—& that a due Regard will be had to the very particular Necessities of this Army so as to prevent as far as possible any Part of this Supply being diverted to other uses. As I have the most perfect Confidence in your Attachment & Zeal for the Publick Interests, I am perswaded you will use your utmost Influence to give Effect to Capt. Baylor’s Commission.3 To him I must beg leave to refer you for the News of the Camp & am with much Respect & Esteem, Sir Your

In your next you will please to inform me what Progress you make with the hunting Shirts.4

LB, in Thomas Mifflin’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.

1Cooke’s letter of 30 Aug. informing GW of the arrival of these supplies had not yet reached Cambridge.

2The Varick transcript reads “undue.”

3For Baylor’s purchase of most of the supplies, see Clark & Nightingale to GW and Nicholas Cooke to GW, both 2 Sept. 1775.

4Cooke was unable to obtain tow cloth for the hunting shirts (Cooke to GW, 30 Aug., 2 Sept. 1775).

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