To George Washington from John Mehelm, 9 March 1780
From John Mehelm
Reading Town1 [N.J.] March 9th 1780
sir
Mr Obadiah Taylor has called upon me to pay an order which he says he has from your Excellency for fourteen thousand weight of Hides which I have declined accepting untill I acquaint your Excellency of the sentiment of the Board of War respecting him which you will see by the enclosed extract2—I am sorry that I am under the necessity of saying any thing to the disadvantage of Taylor, but his rising so suddenly from indigence, to a state of apparent opulence creates suspicions that he must have got Hides into his hands, for which he has never accounted, & his character in the neighborhood adds considerably to the suspicions—However that is a matter that will, perhaps, be difficult to ascertain—I believe he has not got any in this State since I have had the care of that department, but the charge of the Soldiers from the Virginia line which he has had the benefit of for a year or more, while they were supported by the public I dare say your Excellency will think a reasonable one & for which he does not appear willing to make any allowance in the account. I should be glad of your Excellency’s determination as soon as possible whether I had better pay the order as it stands, or insist on a deduction for the labour of the Soldiers in favor of the public.3 I am Your Excellency’s most obedt & very humble servant
John Mehelm
Sprague transcript, DLC:GW.
1. Readings Town, in the northeastern part of Hunterdon County, N.J., became Readington Township in 1798.
2. GW’s order to Taylor has not been found. Mehelm enclosed an extract taken from a letter to him signed by Timothy Pickering “by order of the Board [of War].” The extract, dated 20 Jan., reads: “Mr Taylors Conduct requires that no more Hides be furnished him upon any Contract Whatever with any public Officer until his Accts are adjusted and Equitable allowances made by him for the services of the Virginia Soldiers and other benefits received by the Contracts: We therefore desire your particular care and Attention to prevent his receiving any more hides by forbiding your Deputies to diliver any” (DLC:GW).
3. For Taylor’s use of the Virginia troops, see GW to Peter Muhlenberg, 12 Oct. 1779, and the notes to that document. GW replied on 13 March, directing that Taylor receive no more hides until he accounted for the labor of the Virginia troops (DLC:GW).