From George Washington to Colonel William Malcom, 17 August 1778
To Colonel William Malcom
Hd Qrs [White Plains] Augst 17th 1778
Sir,
I rec’d your favor of the 13th inst. & can not determine the question you put respecting adjutants on the establishment of 1777, for want of the resolves.1
with respect to that part of your Memorandum given to Mr Oliver concerning the exchange of Hides for Shoes, I must beg to decline giving the permission, as it makes the business of the commissary in that department too complicated—He has the power of making all such contracts, & it would be well if you’d direct the Shoemakers you mention to see him—& make their bargains with him—the Shoes may be deliverd to you after being in the hands of the Clothr Genl.
Inclosed is a letter to the Clothier at Fish Kills, to furnish you with such necessaries as he may have, for the use of the men you mention2—you will be pleasd to inform him for what Corps they are intended that he may charge them properly—this you can do by giving a particular return. I am &c.
Copy
G. W——n
Df, in Richard Kidder Meade’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Malcom’s letter to GW of 13 Aug. has not been found.
2. On this date GW wrote Peter Hansen, the clothier at Fishkill: “You will recieve a return from Colo. Malcom at West Point for some articles of cloathing for a few Men under his command, who stand much in need of them, these you will please to deliver & charge to the several Corps Agreeable to the return—you will get from him” (Df, DLC:GW).