1. For the intercepted mail, see GW to Elias Dayton, 4 April, and n.2 to that document.

2. The enclosed copy of Pomeroy’s letter to Q.M. Gen. Timothy Pickering, dated 25 March at Hartford, reads: “Your Letter of March 13th I have just now receiv’d On the rect of your instructions ⅌ Majr Cogswell respecting hiring Ox Teams the requisition was advertised in our News-Papers; in Consequence of which, numbers soon apply’d, who insisted upon higher terms than nine shillings ⅌ day, upon which they were desired to meet on the first of March to treat further about the matter, when there appeared enough to Contract, but they still insisted upon twelve shillings ⅌ day, & I refused to Offer more than nine, and apply’d to the General Assembly, who took the matter up, and after six days debate, resolved not to act in it. The 15th day of March was then appointed for the Conductors to come in, since which, there have appeared the number wanted, and I have enter’d into the Articles, a Copy of which I now inclose, and thought myself happy in thus compleating a matter of such magnitude.

“I was rather induced by the Advice of Colo. Wadsworth, representing that he daily expected Orders to take up great numbers of Ox Teams for transportation, to serve with the Army of France, which would infallably interfere with your intentions. Colo. Hubbard also was clearly of opinion I had best by all means to Contract. Accordingly I have agreed for ten shillings ⅌ day for the Teams & Drivers—In all this I had no idea of purchasing; however, I believe purchases may well be made after the Teams enter the service (as they will be appriz’d) provided Money can be rais’d, of which the Owners should be kept ignorant until the terms are offerd, for there is nothing can exceed their diffidence in Public Promises. …

“I have now a Thousand Cart loads of Provisions put up in this State, the whole nearly ready for transportation to our Army besides which, I have sent on, and have now moving, thirteen hundred Barrels: have involv’d myself in employing Artificers, such as Smiths, Carpenters, Coopers, Packers &c. at this Post which was intirely destitute of all resources, and am now at a perfect stand for some Articles, such as Iron, Coal &c.—Have many applications from Colo. Hughes for supplies, which am by no means able to comply with. Have only, and that with difficulty procured 1500 lbs. of Junk.

“I have sent on 23 Cart loads of Rum & Cloathing, by requisitions from the Asst D.Q. Master of that State from Springfield to Newburgh, and have never from the beginning been furnish’d with one farthing of Cash.

“The Orders on Loan Office are still on hand, & I have no prospect of their being speedily answer’d—What little I have done has been by very particular address to the selectmen and others in the several Towns, with whom I have open’d an extensive Correspondence, representing the most pressing occasions and begging their favorable assistance and Exertions.

“I have kept an Assistant constantly employ’d in Riding. An expence we are not able to bear. Your Certificates obtain no Credit in this Country. I’m somewhat at a loss to Account for it.

“Our Government have come into no measures for supplying any Money for this Department; on which Account pray let a little Money be order’d if Possible.

“I have inclos’d to Major Platt an Account of Sums advanc’d a number of Conductors of Ox Teams employ’d last Winter—As they were for the Army at large, beg their Accounts may be adjusted & settled at your Office, and the sums remitted here. Their Accounts amount to [ ].

“There are many Circumstances which render it extremely inconvenient for me to settle their Accounts.

“The Horses in Colo. Hubbards hands I have heard of, and agreed with Capt. Seymour, with Colo. Hubbards consent to make out a Return & description of them a month ago, which he has hitherto neglected—It is said there are eighty-eight, dispersed through many Towns in Litchfield County. By what I can learn, there are not more than one in ten which ever were or ever will be proper for public service; and they were put out on such conditions that they cannot be taken from the possessors hands until the money be paid for wintering them.

“The Post at Bulls falls is determin’d upon for the western Magazine for this State: as nothing is there, it will require some Money to make it proper for the reception of Stores. The Bridge which was broken, I have found means to have repair’d—The Stores, I suppose, which are worth it, must be removed from Danbury, Litchfield & elsewhere—Would it not be proper, that the Park of Artillery with the Guard, be removed from Litchfield with the Issuing Commissary, as it is highly improper to mulltiply Posts, when so little Provision is made for the support of a few” (DLC:GW). Pickering’s letter to Pomeroy of 13 March has not been identified. The enclosed account of sums advanced to conductors also has not been identified.

Pomeroy’s letter to Pickering enclosed an agreement, dated March, between Pomeroy and the “Conductor of Ox teams” in Connecticut, that included a list of conductors who had contracted to raise teams (DLC:GW). The agreement left blank the name of the conductor, which presumably would be supplied from the list. According to the agreement, the conductor would “furnish a good & sufficient Company of Ox teams for the service of the United States for the term of Eight months after the beginning of May next unless sooner discharg’d The Company to Consist of Ten good six & four Ox teams, and A good driver to Each team not less than half the number of teams to Consist of Six Oxen each. Compleat in every respect for the teaming service. to keep the Carts Yoaks & Chains, in repair at the Expence of the Owners of the teams, and to perform the duty well for the sum of Ten shillings in specie or Other Current Mony really Equivilent ⅌ Day.

“The Forage to be found for the teams the Cattle shod & the Carts [accoutered] at the public Expence. the teams and Carts to be appriz’d at the time of entering the service, are to be paid for by the public, if kill’d or taken by the Enemy without the fault of the Conductor or drivers, and the public to take the Risque of the whole except Common Accidents, which Risque the Owners of the teams are to take upon themselves. The Carts are to be Compleatly fixed According to the directions of the Quarter Master Genls herewith Recev’d.” The remainder of the agreement provides for cooks, sets ration requirements for cooks and teamsters, and addresses pay issues.

The “ List of Conductors who have contracted to raise Teams and Drivers for the ensuing Campaign” shows eighteen names with the date of engagement and number of teams. Each conductor raised ten teams except for one who raised twelve. Four names appear at the bottom of the list within a brace that draws attention to a note: “Contracted with but Articles not compleated.”

3. GW replied to Pomeroy on 16 April.