George Washington to Colonel Timothy Pickering, 10 May 1781
To Colonel Timothy Pickering
Head Quarters New Windsor May 10th 1781
Dear Sir
Under the present circumstances of transportation from Connecticut, I should advise, that Mr Pomeroy should be sent immediately back to the several Towns, to announce the distresses of the Army for the want of that provision, the certainty of payment for the transportation, and the approach of a Military force to carry into execution the impress of the Civil Majestrate—While this is doing, the Parties from Danbury & Hazens Regt may be detached (to be employed in the manner you propose) for that purpose.1
It will be best to use great prudence in the execution of this business, which has become indispensably necessary, and to send to the nearest Towns first—before this measure can have its operation in the remoter parts, I hope Goverment will take the matter up with energy; in consequence of the representation of Major Gen. Heath, who sets out tomorrow for the Eastern States, to settle with them the Arrangement of transportation & supplies for the Campaign.2 He will require all the information that may be necessary from Your Department & that of the Commissy, on these subjects, previous to his Journey.3 I am Dear Sir Your Most Obedt Servant
Go: Washington
LS, in David Humphreys’s writing, DNA: RG 93, manuscript file no. 26369; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW. The docket of the LS reads: “acted upon same Day” (see Pickering to GW, this date, and n.3 below). The draft, which Humphreys also penned, concludes: “N.B. Orders were given for the Detachments.”
GW’s aide-de-camp David Humphreys wrote the officer commanding Col. Moses Hazen’s regiment from New Windsor on this date: “His Excellency directs that the Detachment which may be call’d for by the Quarter Master General from Col. Hazen’s Regt should be forwarded to conduct an Impress under his direction” (NHi: Hugh Hughes Papers).
1. See Pickering to GW, 9 May, and the source note above.
2. The Connecticut legislature subsequently adopted measures to assist Ralph Pomeroy, deputy quartermaster general, in his efforts to procure teams (see , 3:395–96). For Maj. Gen. William Heath’s mission to the New England states, see GW to Heath, 8 and 9 May.
3. Pickering supplied the requested information (see GW to Heath, 9 May, n.7).