1. See Circular to the New England States, 10 May.

2. Heath resided on a farm in Roxbury, Mass., and served in the legislature before the war (see also Heath’s second letter to GW, 6 May, and GW to Heath, 8 May).

3. For this salted meat, see GW to Timothy Pickering, 13 May, found at Pickering to GW, 12 May, n.3.

4. For the dire provision shortage at Fort Schuyler, N.Y., see James Clinton to GW, 4 May.

5. For locations to send provisions, see Circular to State Executives, 10 Dec. 1780.

6. For congressional supply requisitions on the states, see Samuel Huntington to GW, 12 Nov., n.1.

7. Q.M. Gen. Timothy Pickering wrote Heath from Newburgh, N.Y., on 11 May: “After the repeated orders that have been given for the transportation of the salted provisions, westward of Connecticut river, to the army, proved fruitless—as the several towns generally neglected to perform a service which was as well their duty as it was essential to the support of the army—to prevent the fatal mischiefs that would ensue from a total want of provisions, I was induced to offer payment for the transport of all the provisions which on this pressing occasion should be brought forward to Hudson’s river. But the promise of payment on the delivery of the provisions (& which I was ready to make) had no effect. With people so utterly regardless of the most essential interests of their country, it was apparent that nothing save military force would have any operation. On a representation of these facts, the commander in chief has accordingly authorized me to apply the aid of the military. To this authority my consequent orders are conformed, and the business is now in execution; or rather the execution is commencing; the authority referred to was given me but yesterday. A copy of my orders are inclosed, together with a list of the towns in Connecticut at which provisions are deposited. From these you will be able to judge of the quantities of provisions that will be transported in any given time. If parties of troops are furnished, agreeably to the orders given, and they do their duty, I cannot suppose that the transportation will fail.

“When I first promised payment of the hire of the teams, I had no idea of extending it beyond Danbury, or such like distance, as it was the duty of the state to transport the provisions to a deposit at about the same distance from the North river. Nor do I now intend to pay the hire of a single team that is forced into the service, unless the agents employed on this occasion make any special agreements for that purpose. The promise of payment was made to save myself & the people from a measure so disagreeable as impressing. I hope however that the state of Connecticut will relieve me of the transportation from any but the nearest towns; for the money promised for this service by me, can very ill be spared.

“To carry on transportation, to forward livestock, and for the other necessary services in Connecticut, I expected my deputy would be furnished with money by the state: but he has received none: pay-table orders have supplied its place: but these (he informs me) are greatly depreciated, and it becomes daily more difficult to do business with them.

“It is necessary you should be informed, That without money in hand it is impossible to do business in the states at a distance from the army. In New-York & New-Jersey, the army take what is wanted; and the people (with amazing patience) have submitted to the oppression—partly thro’ fear, & in part from a conviction of the indispensable necessity of the army’s being supplied with the articles so taken. Unless the eastern states furnish money to my deputies, to enable them to continue the transportation from the places of deposit, & to forward live-stock, both must stop, or part (a measure to be deprecated) be sold to send on the residue.

“As soon as the grass is grown sufficiently, I expect a considerable transportation of stores and provisions will be effected by the ox teams engaged to serve with the army the ensuing campaign. The number of teams demanded of my deputies for the four eastern states, are mentioned in the inclosed list. Colo. Hatch in April had engaged about 130; and Mr [Ralph] Pomeroy his whole quota; but he expected to lose Some of them, which he feared would be drawn away, by the powerful attraction of gold, to serve with the French army. All these teams were to move the fore part of the present month, loaded with stores and provisions, to the army: the backwardness of the season, & the scarcity of dry forage will prevent them” (MHi: Heath Papers). For one enclosure, see a report docketed “List of Towns in Connecticut where salted provisions are lodged May 9th 1781” (MHi: Heath Papers; see also Pickering to GW, 9 May, n.3).

Pickering also enclosed an extract from his letter to Josiah Pomeroy, assistant deputy quartermaster for Connecticut, written at Newburgh on 10 May: “Warranted by the express orders of the commander in chief this moment delivered me you are hereby authorized and directed to proceed with the greatest dispatch to the towns in Connecticut from whence the salted provisions can soonest be forwarded to Fishkill Landing and inform the selectmen respectively of the orders you have received—You will mention the distressing wants of the Army and the approach of a military force to compel the owners of teams to turn out If they immediately transport provisions it will be well—I will even yet pay them the hire you shall agree for upon the delivery of their loads at Fishkill landing—If you are obliged to impress apply to the civil majistrates for warrants and if needful inforce the execution by military force—If the majistrates refuse their warrants apply the military force in the first instance—For obtaining this force you have herewith the necessary orders to the commanding officer at Danbury who will furnish you with the requisite number of troops. In this manner you will proceed from town to town till all the provisions westward of Connecticut river are in motion or that you receive orders to stop in consequence of any other mode being adopted, applying in succession to the nearest towns from whence the quickest transport may be affected.

“To give the greater dispatch to this business you will leave a copy of th⟨ese⟩ orders with Capt. James Clark acting quarter master at Danbury who is requested to pursue the measures herein directed in respect to such terms as you and he shall agree on.

“While you are proceeding on this route another party of troops will go from Fishkill to the northwestern towns in Connecticut with the like orders.

“Before I close I cannot forbear to mark the unequal duties required of and performed by different States New York mutilated as it is, and subjected almost on every side to the inroads of the enemy—cutt off from all foreign commerce, & from every source of money, yet performs unpaid more prompt and chearful services & furnishes more effectual and ample supplies (compared with its productions) than any of its rich and flourishing neighbours. Two counties only have without receiving a penny in payment transported almost all the flour consumed by the army during the last winter besides furnishing horses to move several detachments of the army. I wish its neighbours discovered some sympathy at the unexampled sufferings of this State.

“You will advise me in time of your proceedings and of the term of hire of the teams to be employed on this occasion that I may be at no loss in paying them.

“Should any accident render it safe to transport any part of the provisions to Peekskill, Major [John] Campbell will pay the hire of the delivery of it at that landing.

“The parties of Soldiers detached from Danbury should be commanded by very discreet officers who may conduct with prudence and prevent any the smallest abuses at the same time that they compell delinquents to do their duty” (MHi: Heath Papers).

Charles Stewart, commissary general of issues, wrote Heath from New Windsor on 12 May: “You requested to be informed what proportion of the Stores, the Commander in Chief, would wish to have forwarded to Albany, for the Use of the Troops in that Quarter, I am desired to acquaint You, that About One Tenth part of the Salt provisions as well as of the Fatt Cattle and rum is thought by His Excellency, a proper proportion for the present; I suppose You will find it most convienent to supply Albany, and the posts in that Quarter, with the Salted provisions at Great Barrington, That place, Hartford, Bulls Iron Works, and Springfield, are the principal places of Deposit, for the supplies to be delivered at, But in the present distressed State of the Army The General doubts not from your influence and address that you will prevail On the Executive Authoritys of the respective States to send their Quotas directly to the Army. By the resolve of Congress dated 4th November 1780 Massachusetts & Connecticutt Were to have furnished a considerable Quantity of Rum by this time, As You are particularly acquainted with the State of The Magazines here and can of Your Own unquestionable knowledge assure the States that there is none on hand nor will be any untill it arrives the Eastward The States will doubtless endeavour to procure (⟨If⟩ not already done) a Supply of that Article so necessary for Troops on a March or on fatigue, As the very existen[c]e of the Army depends on the Exertions of the Eastern states, to procure & forward Meat, I must entreat the favour of General Heath, to communicate by Letter, as Often as convenient, the prospects, that appear to him, in Obtaining the needfull supplys, and getting them forwarded to the Army” (MHi: Heath Papers; Heath docketed this letter as received on 28 May; the cover is addressed to Heath “on his rout to Boston” under “the particular Care of Ralph Pomroy Esqr. D.Q.M.G.”). For the places of deposit, see Circular to State Executives, 10 Dec. 1780; see also Stewart to GW, 9 May 1781, and the source note to that document.

Heath replied to Stewart from Roxbury, Mass., on 29 May: “Your favor of the 12th did not Come to hand until yesterday after my return from New Hampshire—I flatter myself you have already experienced relief from the Temporary Supplies which have been pushed on from Connecticut and Massachusetts, The Executives of all the States have given me assurances of every exertion in the power of the States as Soon as the Legislatures Convene two or Three of Which will in the Course of this week.

“from Mr Phelps Situation it will be most Convenient for him to Send Beef Cattle to Albany. … I hope in a few Days to inform you more fully with respect to the General Supply for the Campaign” (MHi: Heath Papers; see also Heath to GW, 29 May, n.2).

8. Humphreys, who wrote the draft, included these words at this point: “in the most decisive, clear & explicit manner.”

9. Maintaining appropriate provisions at West Point had proven a constant challenge for GW. Receiving yet another warning from that strategic post’s commander about critical shortages of cattle and barreled meat prompted GW to adopt a more comprehensive approach to the persistent problem. He decided to send Heath, West Point commander since fall 1780, on a mission to obtain meat from state officials in New England for immediate relief and to press for firm plans to maintain a regular supply throughout the rest of 1781 (see Heath’s second letter to GW, 6 May, and GW to Heath, 8 May). Maj. Gen. Robert Howe commanded at West Point during Heath’s absence (see GW to Howe, 7 May, and Howe to GW, 17 May).

GW’s swift decision surprised Heath, who wrote Col. Hugh Hughes, deputy quartermaster general for New York, on 9 May to prepare several horses at Fishkill “for a particular emergency, and I request your endeavours to furnish them, I shall want them tomorrow.” Heath needed the horses for his trip and promised: “excuse my Dear Sir this trouble to oblige your old Friend, I will not trouble you again this month, this manoeuvre is a Sudden one, and not known to me till this afternoon, I wish you not to make mention of it, at present” (MHi: Heath Papers). Heath then wrote Col. Christopher Greene from West Point on 10 May to advise him that another officer would address concerns raised in a recent letter because “I have Just received orders from the Commander in Chief to execute a Commission to the Eastern States as far as New Hampshire it is on the Subject of Provisions, which at present is an alarming one … I shall wait on Govr Greene and the Assembly of your State, will let your friends know you are well” (MHi: Heath Papers; see also Heath to GW, 29 May, and William Greene to GW, 7 June). Whatever glad tidings Heath brought to Rhode Island proved fleeting because an “account from the army” arrived while in Massachusetts “that Colo. Greene and Major Fl[a]gg were killed on the line near Croton” during a raid (entry for 22 May in Henry Sewall’s diary, Maine Farmer [Augusta], 19 Oct. 1872; see also Wilson, Heath’s Memoirs description begins Rufus Rockwell Wilson, ed. Heath’s Memoirs of the American War. 1798. Reprint. New York, 1904. description ends , 303, and John Paterson’s first letter to GW, 14 May, and notes 2 and 3 to that document).

Heath did not depart until 11 May, probably because he waited for information from Pickering and Stewart as directed by GW (see n.7 above). Heath later recalled in his memoirs that he had left West Point in the morning “and proceeded up the river to New Windsor, where he received from the Commander in Chief the dispatches addressed to the several Executives of the New England States; and in the afternoon crossed the Hudson, on his journey eastward” (Wilson, Heath’s Memoirs description begins Rufus Rockwell Wilson, ed. Heath’s Memoirs of the American War. 1798. Reprint. New York, 1904. description ends , 301). His aide-de-camp Henry Sewall accompanied him and regularly commented on their travels in his diary entries. Sewall’s entry for 11 May reads: “Began our journey Eastward[.] Left West Point in the barge about 8 o’clock, dined at Colo. Pickerings, crossed the ferry in a barge, took our horse at Fishkill landing and put up at Fishkill town” (Maine Farmer [Augusta], 19 Oct. 1872). GW wrote in his own diary for the same date: “Major Genl. Heath set out this day for the Eastn. States, provided with Instructions, and letters couched in strong terms—representing the distresses of the Army for want of provisions and the indispensable necessity of keeping up regular supplies by the adoption of a plan, which will have system & permanency in’t” (Diaries description begins Donald Jackson and Dorothy Twohig, eds. The Diaries of George Washington. 6 vols. Charlottesville, Va., 1976–79. description ends , 3:362).

Heath’s travels took him to Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. In each state, he delivered a circular letter from GW to the governor or executive (see Circular to the New England States, 10 May). Heath also delivered his own letters to the same governors or executives (see Heath to GW, 15 May, n.1). The general traveled openly but did not broadcast his mission. The American Journal, and General Advertiser (Providence) for 19 May simply noted that he had passed through town with his party on the previous afternoon.

Heath and Sewall left written records that tracked their progress. The latter wrote in his diary entries for 12 and 14 May: “Rode to Morehouse’s and put up. Rode 10 miles to breakfast in Kent. Dined at Litchfield and put up at Harrington [Harwinton]. … Rode from Harrington to Farmington Meadows and arrived in Hartford about 3 o’clock, where we dined and put up at Mr. Bull’s” (Maine Farmer [Augusta], 19 Oct. 1872). The first overnight accommodation likely was Morehouse tavern in Dutchess County, N.Y., and the last probably was the home of James Bull, deputy clothier general. After their arrival at Hartford on 14 May, Heath wrote Connecticut governor Jonathan Trumbull, Sr.: “I have this moment arrived in Town from the army, am Charged with Dispatches from his Excellency General Washington of a very important nature, request to be informed at what time and place, I shall have the honor of delivering them to your Excellency” (MHi: Heath Papers). This letter apparently prompted an entry in Trumbull’s diary on the same date: “M. Gen. Heath—brings Gen. Wash’s letters [r]e distress for provisions” (Stuart, Trumbull description begins I. W. Stuart. Life of Jonathan Trumbull, Sen., Governor of Connecticut. 2d ed. Boston, 1859. description ends , 520). Sewall then reported on 15 May that the legislature “took cognizance of the subject of Genl. Heath’s Embassy” and that on 16 May the two men concluded their “business with the assembly … and left town about 11 o’clock.” They stayed that night at Lebanon, Conn. (diary entries for those dates in Maine Farmer [Augusta], 19 Oct. 1872; see also Heath to GW, 29 May).

Sewall wrote in his diary entry for 17 May that their party breakfasted at Windham, Conn., passed through Canterbury, and “dined at Plainfield” in the same state before putting up for the night at a public house in Coventry, Rhode Island. His entry for 18 May noted their calling on Catharine Littlefield Greene (Maj. Gen. Nathanael Greene’s wife) before delivering the dispatches to Rhode Island governor William Greene at East Greenwich. At that place, they “took an early dinner, received all the civilities of good breeding and proceeded to Providence,” where they called upon Lt. Gov. Jabez Bowen before continuing on to spend the night at Attleboro, Mass. (Maine Farmer [Augusta], 19 Oct. 1872). Heath later wrote in his memoirs: “The Legislature of the State were not then in session; but Gov. Greene made the most satisfactory assurances that the State of Rhode Island would adopt every measure recommended by the Commander in Chief” (Wilson, Heath’s Memoirs description begins Rufus Rockwell Wilson, ed. Heath’s Memoirs of the American War. 1798. Reprint. New York, 1904. description ends , 302; see also Heath to GW, 29 May, n.3, and 24 June, n.4).

On Saturday, 19 May, Heath’s party passed rapidly through Wrentham and Walpole, Mass., before dining at Dedham and reaching the general’s home “in Roxbury a little before sunset” (Sewall’s diary entry for that date in Maine Farmer [Augusta], 19 Oct. 1872). Heath recalled in his memoirs that he had “waited upon Gov. Hancock at Boston” the next day “and presented the dispatches with which he was charged. The new Legislature of Massachusetts were to convene on the last Wednesday of the month [30 May]. Gov. Hancock gave the fullest assurances, that in the interim the Executive would do every thing in its power for the immediate relief of the army, by directing the several contractors of provisions in the State to forward all in their power with the utmost expedition” (Wilson, Heath’s Memoirs description begins Rufus Rockwell Wilson, ed. Heath’s Memoirs of the American War. 1798. Reprint. New York, 1904. description ends , 302–3; see also Heath to GW, 29 May, and n.5 to that document).

Travel resumed on 23 May, when Sewall wrote in his diary entry: “Left Roxbury in the morning by way of Cambridge with the Genl. and one domestic for New Hampshire, dined at Danvers and put up at Ipswich.” Sewall wrote in his entry for 24 May that they breakfasted at “a miserable tavern” before calling on acquaintances in Newburyport, Mass., where they “crossed the ferry about 12.” After stopping to dine at Hampton Falls, N.H., Heath and Sewall “arrived at Exeter before sunset.” They subsequently indicated their “business to the president of the State and had an interview with him in the evening.” The next day, Sewall joined Heath “in waiting on the Committee of Safety.” Rain then detained them in Exeter (diary entries for 23–25 May in Maine Farmer [Augusta], 19 Oct. 1872). Heath later recalled that the legislature “was not then in session” but that New Hampshire president Meshech Weare and his council provided “the fullest assurances” to expect “that every aid in the power of the State should be afforded” (Wilson, Heath’s Memoirs description begins Rufus Rockwell Wilson, ed. Heath’s Memoirs of the American War. 1798. Reprint. New York, 1904. description ends , 303–4; see also Heath to GW, 29 May, n.6, and 27 June, n.3).

Sewall and Heath parted on 26 May, with the former heading for his home in Maine and the latter “returning to Boston” (Sewall diary entry for that date in Maine Farmer [Augusta], 19 Oct. 1872). Heath recollected that on 27 May he had “arrived at his house in Roxbury. On the 29th, he again waited on Gov. Hancock, and requested that the requisitions of the Commander in Chief of the army might be predominant in all the public objects.” Heath continued: “The 30th was the General Election day in Massachusetts; and it appeared that his Excellency John Hancock was re-elected Governor, who, as soon as the two Houses were organized, laid the requisitions of Gen. Washington before them” (Wilson, Heath’s Memoirs description begins Rufus Rockwell Wilson, ed. Heath’s Memoirs of the American War. 1798. Reprint. New York, 1904. description ends , 304).

Heath met “a Committee of both Houses” in the Massachusetts legislature on 2 June “on the subject of his mission.” His memoirs then read: “The zeal and patriotism of the several Executives and Legislatures of the New England States to relieve and amply supply the army with provisions were so conspicuous on this occasion that it is not possible to say which or whether any one of them exceeded the other; each was for making every exertion in its power; and, to ensure success to their resolutions, they all fell in with the recommendation of the Commander in Chief, and appointed committees to meet in convention to digest and systematize the business. The committees met accordingly at Providence, in Rhode Island, and were so fortunate in their arrangements that the most ample supplies of meat were afterwards furnished for the main army; and a surplus of 100 head of beef cattle weekly sent on after Gen. Washington towards Virginia, until he ordered a discontinuance of that supply” (Wilson, Heath’s Memoirs description begins Rufus Rockwell Wilson, ed. Heath’s Memoirs of the American War. 1798. Reprint. New York, 1904. description ends , 304; see also Heath to GW, 4 July, and n.1 to that document).

10. Nathaniel Stevens, deputy commissary general of issues, wrote Heath from Fishkill on 11 May: “In obedience to your request I would inform you that I have, the 22nd Ult. [22 April] requested Mr. Phelps the agent of Massachusetts State to furnish in the 1st and 3rd weeks in each Month with 140 beef Cattle, to be delivered at this place in two Eaqual droves, the one at the first and the other at the middle of the weeks—90 head from Capt. [Henry] Champion Agent for Connecticutt, every two weeks, to be delivered at the first of the second and fourth week in each Month, and 50 head from the Agent for New Hampshire to be delivered at the middle of the same weeks appointed for those from Connecticut, this demand averages upwards of 18 Cattle ⅌ day, which I expect will answer our present Issues. … P.S. The troops at West Point, and dependant posts, will require at least one hundred and twenty H[og]h[ea]d[s] of rum monthly” (MHi: Heath Papers; Stevens wrote “Present” on the cover, indicating that he had handed the letter to Heath).