Major General Benjamin Lincoln to George Washington, 3 May 1781
From Major General Benjamin Lincoln
Boston May 3d 1781
My dear General
The General Assembly have, in compliance with your Excellencys request, voted the tents &c. for the Massachusetts line, and discover a disposition to give all the assistance in their power in support of the common interest—but they are greatly embarrassed from the want of money, notwithstanding the various modes adopted, by this State, for procuring it—this may possibly cause some delay—I hope it will not.1 By the next opportunity I shall, probably, have it in my power to inform your Excellency what success will attend this business—It is now in the hands of Agents who are men of attention and dispatch.
The assembly have under consideration a more regular and certain mode of supplying the Army with provisions, blankets, shoes, stockings shirts &c. the want of money is the only difficulty in the way for there are supplies enough of all kinds—to get them into the hands of the public, in time, without money, and in a way which shall throw the burden of the war equally on the shoulders of all is a task not easy to be effected—however it will be attempted in every way which has the appearance of success.
As your Excellency wished me to forward the recruits supplies &c. before I came on to Camp I hardly feel my self at liberty to leave this State untill I have your Excellencys permission to do it2—When I know your Excellencys wishes in this matter I will anticipate your Orders.3 I have the honor to be my Dear General with the highest esteem your Excellencys most Obedient servant
B. Lincoln
LS, DLC:GW.
1. A “Resolve on a Letter from His Excellency General Washington, and a Letter from The Hon. Timothy Pickering, Esq; Q.M.G. Directing the Committee of Supplies to Furnish a Number of Tents, &c.” passed the Massachusetts legislature on 5 May. The committee was to procure “as soon as possible, sixteen marquisees, thirty-five horsemen’s tents, two hundred and eighty-seven wall tents, eleven half wall tents, fourteen hundred and sixty-two soldiers tents, four thousand knapsacks, and six thousand haversacks” for delivery to the deputy quartermaster general of the eastern department and forwarding to the army (Mass. Acts and Laws, 1780–81, p. 435; see also Circular to New England State Executives, 17 April, and n.1).
2. See GW to Lincoln, 8 Nov. 1780 and 21 Feb. 1781.
3. GW directed Lincoln’s return to the army in his reply on 11 May (MH).