From George Washington to the North Carolina Delegates, 16 February 1780
To the North Carolina Delegates
Head Quarters Morristown 16th Febry 1780
Gentlemen.
Captn Reed of the North Carolina troops was ordered by instru⟨c⟩tions from Col. Clark to the Eastwar⟨d⟩ to purchase clothing for the officers of that State, and is thus far on his return, having procured the clothing. The troops having marched Southward, he is embarrassed what steps to pursue; Whether to dispose of what he has purchased, and risque the obtaining of others in Carolina, or to have them forwarded after the troops.1 As it is a matter totally relative to the State I would beg leave to refer him to your advic⟨e⟩ and directions on the occasio⟨n⟩. I am Gentn with great regard Your obt & hble sert
Go: Washington
LS, in James McHenry’s writing, NcU: Dialectic Society Papers; Df, in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. GW signed the cover of the LS. The draft and the Varick transcript are both dated 17 February. Richard Kidder Meade wrote the dateline of the draft. The LS was advertised for sale by the Heritage Collectors’ Society in 1986.
1. Brig. Gen. James Hogun was marching the North Carolina brigade to Charleston, S.C., to reinforce the southern army (see Hogun to GW, 19 Feb., and n.1 to that document).