I find myself arrived at that period, at which I hoped to have seen the Batallions of the several States compleated to their Establishment, in conformity to the requisition of Congress of the 19th Decr last.

The inclosed returns of Recruits, which I have caused to be made up to the 1st Instant, will shew how totally short of my expectation the exertions of the States, have fallen—from your State your will find that 240 have joined the Army in consequence of the above requisition.

All my accounts from Europe concur in declaring, that the British King and Ministry are still determined to prosecute the War, it becomes therefore our decided duty to be prepared to meet their Hostile intentions, in whatever way they are to be carried into execution; to do which, our utmost exertions are now called for—You will suffer me therefore to entreat, that if your State have any expectations from the Military Operations of this Season, not another moment may be lost in providing for and carrying into Execution, the full completion of their Batallions—It is scarcely necessary to inform you, that on this expectation, all our calculations must be formed, and on this Event must rest the hopes of the ensuing Campaign.

My intelligence of the Actual Aid we may expect from our Allies, is not yet so explicit, as will lead me to decide absolutely on the Mode of Operations for this Campaign, but were our expectations of Support from that quarter ever so promising, yet from the Negligence and Langour of the States from whence our own exertions are to Spring, I am not at this day enabled to give any Assurance of our being prepared to Co-operate with our Allies, in any great Objects equal to their Expectations or our own abilities.

I am Sorry to say, I have the best authority to assure your Excellency, that the Court of France is much distressed with the want of Vigour and exertion in the States, and with that disposition which appears willing at least, if not desirous, to cast all the burthen of the American War upon them; Waving the injustice and Impolicy of such a temper (which to me appears very conspicuous) how humiliating is the Idea, that our dependance for support should rest upon others beyond that point which absolute necessity dictates? how discouraging to our Allies! and how dishonorable to ourselves, must be our want of Vigour and utmost exertion at a time when, if we are not wanting to ourselves, our prospects are the fairest that our wishes could extend to.

I find from the proceedings of the several states, that their calculations of Deficionces, formed an Application to the several Towns who furnish the Men, are greatly different from the Returns sent from the Army.

I forbear mentioning many Reasons which might be assigned for this difference, and which in my opinion originate principally within the States, and will content myself with this one observation.

That should the States deceive themselves in this respect, and fail to furnish the expected Force in the Field, they will not only cast an essential injury upon the Army, but the unhappy consequences of a failure in their expectations from the Military Operations, will reverberate upon themselves, whilst recrimination can have no effect towards alleviating our protacted Misfortunes and Distress.

Altho’ Money matters are not within the Line of my duty, yet as they are so intimately connected with all Military Operations, and being lately informed by the Financier, in answer to some small requisitions on him, that he has not yet received one penny in money from any one State upon the Requisition of Congress for the 8,000,000 Dollars, whilst on the contrary some of the States are devising ways to draw from him the small sums he has been able otherwise to Establish, and that he is at this time barely able to feed the Army from hand to mouth, I cannot forbear to express my apprehension on that head; and to urge, with a warmth of Zeal and Earnestness, the most pointed and effectual attention of your State, to the actual raising and collecting their proportion of the mentioned requisition. Upon the present Plan of Non Compliance with requisitions for Men and Supplies, let me seriously ask your Excellency, how it is possible for us to continue the war? how is it possible to support an Army without Money or Recruits? To what a wretched State must we soon be reduced? how dangerous is it to suffer our affairs to run at hazard and to depend upon contingencies? to what do the present measures tend, but to the utter ruin of that cause which we have hitherto so long and so nobly supported? and to crush all the fair hopes which the present moment places before us, were we only to exert the power and Abilities with which Providence has bountifully blessed this Country.

But if the States will not impose, or do not collect and apply Taxes for the support of the War, the longer we continue a feeble and ineffectual War, the greater will be our distress at the hour of submission. For my own part, I am fully convinced, that without the means of execution, no Officer, whoever he may be, that is placed at the head of the Military Department, can be answerable for the success of any Plans he may propose or agree to.

Upon this Subject, I will only add, that from past experience and from present prospects, I am persuaded, that if the States would furnish the supplies agreeable to the late requisition, and would suffer the Pay, Cloathing, and Subsistence of the Army, to go thro’ one common Channell, two thirds of their former Expences would be saved and many partialities, discontents and Jealousies which now subsist, would be removed and cease, and an Establishment of Order, Regularity and harmony in our general Affairs, would be experienced, which cannot from the present disjointed and different Systems of Finance adopted by seperate States. While acting in my Military capacity, I am sensible of the impropriety of stepping into the line of civil polity—my anxiety for the general good, and an Earnest desire to bring this long protracted War to a happy issue, when I hope to retire to that peacefull State of domestic pleasures, from which the call of my Country has brought me to take an active part, and to which I most ardently wish a speedy return, I hope will furnish my excuse with your Excellency & the Legislature, whilst I request your pardon for this Trespass.

If I should have occasion for the Militia of your State, the call will be sudden, and their movements must be rapid, otherwise great expence will accrue, and only disgrace and disappointment will follow—For these reasons I beg leave to recall your Excellencys attention to my Letter of the 5th March last, and to pray most earnestly that every previous Arrangement may be taken to facilitate their March when requested—I have the honor to be Sir Your Excellencys Most Obedt and very humble Servant