To George Washington from John Pierce, Jr., 15 February 1781
From John Pierce, Jr.
New Windsor Feby 15. 1781.
Sir
In the settlement of the subsistence of the Army, since the 1st November last, I cannot determine what ought to be allowed the Officers, as they have drawn from the Commissary one ration more than was formerly given them.
The Officers I am informed have an expectation, that this extra ration will be given for the deficiencies of their rations & parts of rations and for the almost universal want of every thing they sustain.
I am therefore to request your Excellency would please to direct me in this instance—the accounts being at a stand until it can be determined.1 I have the Honor to be with the greatest respect, Your Excellys most Obt Servt
Jno. Pierce Paym. Genl
ALS, DLC:GW.
1. Recommending that he obtain “the sense of Congress” on the subject when he wrote Pierce on 24 March, GW added that “pressing necessity” had prompted the order for issuing the extra ration to compensate for deficiencies in rations and lack of pay. “I therefore give it clearly as my opinion, that this Extra Ration ought not to be deducted from the subsistence” (DNA: PCC, item 165).