From George Washington to Major General Artemas Ward, 6 April 1776
To Major General Artemas Ward
Providence 6th April 1776
Sir
I have given such instructions to Mr Park the assistant Quarter Master General that if he pays a proper attention to them you will have Little trouble, with his department, however I woud reccommend to you to Keep him attentive to his duty, and as it is probable he may want more money to defray the necessary expences, of the Army you will grant him a warrant, for what he may have occasion for,1 I shall Sett off this evening for Norwich,2 there is a Letter incloseing a Key for Mr Austin, which I pray you will forward to him on receipt3—there were a great number of Kettles & other articles belonging to the Camp Laying about Roxborough Church.4 your hinting to Mr Parke that great Care Shou’d be had of these things, may be of Service. I am Sir your Most H: Sert
Go: Washington
LS (facsimile), in Stephen Moylan’s writing, sold by Swann Galleries, Sale 1464A, item 193, March 1988.
1. See GW’s Orders and Instructions for John Parke, 3 April 1776. GW gave Parke a warrant for $6,666⅔ (or £2,000) on 29 Mar., one for $8,333⅓ (or £2,500) on 1 April, and one for $10,560 (or £3,000) on 3 April (warrant book no. 1, 10 Sept. 1775–12 Aug. 1776, DLC:GW, 5th ser., vol. 17).
2. GW’s departure from Providence was delayed until the next day (see GW to Nicholas Cooke, this date).
3. This letter has not been identified. Ebenezer Austin (1746–1836) of Charlestown, Mass., became steward of GW’s military household on 18 July 1775 and served until GW left Cambridge on 4 April 1776, when Austin chose to remain in Massachusetts rather than follow GW to New York. As steward, Austin had obtained food and drink for the headquarters table, supervised the cooking, cleaning, and laundering, and tended to various other domestic chores. See Austin’s accounts, 18 July–30 Oct. 1775, 30 Oct. 1775–4 April 1776, DLC:GW, 5th ser., vols. 25, 26.
4. GW is referring to the church at Roxbury, Massachusetts.