To George Washington from Captain William Helms, 1 July 1780
From Captain William Helms
New Town (Sussex) [N.J.] 1st July 1780
Sir
I Inform your Excellency I was sent here by Order of General Maxwell in consiquence of your Orders to him, to request the Officers of Milittia to furnish a Guard Sufficient for the security of the Stores at this place & Hackts Town,1 I have made applycation Accordingly but have got but a very Insufficient number and those under bad regulations as I find it Impracticable to keep them from runing home. The Colonels of Milittia complain of the Multiplysity of buisness they have at present on their hands, men to raise for the Army likewise for the defence of their Frontiers, this they fear will put it out of their power to furnish me with the men required—Should look upon a small number of Continental Troops a greater security than any number of Milittia I can collect, as men so near home will not be under any regulations.2 I am your Excellencys Most Obt Humle Srvt
Wm Helms Capt. 2d Regt J.
ALS, DLC:GW.
William Helms (d. 1813) joined the 2d New Jersey Regiment in November 1775 as an ensign and received promotion to lieutenant the following December. He became a captain in December 1777. Helms transferred to the 1st New Jersey Regiment in January 1783 and was retained as a captain in the New Jersey Battalion formed the following March. He left the army in November 1783. Helms served in the state legislature in 1791 and 1792, later became a militia major general, and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives five times in the early 1800s before moving to Ohio in 1810.
1. GW’s orders to Brig. Gen. William Maxwell have not been found.
2. GW replied to Helms on 6 July from headquarters at Col. Theunis Dey’s home in Bergen County, N.J.: “As there are valuable stores in Sussex Court-house, it is my desire that it be particularly attended to, and to this end that you immediately make application for a proper guard of militia to be posted there, to prevent incendiaries or the like should what you already have be insufficient for this purpose. You will be pleased to make a report of your proceedings” (Df, in James McHenry’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW). Helms reported to GW on 4 Aug. (DLC:GW).