George Washington to the Board of War, 16 May 1781
To the Board of War
Head Quarters New Windsor 16th May 1781.
Gentlemen
I have been honored with your favors of the 2d and 8th Inst.1 The first did not reach me till yesterday. I have immediately made application to Sir Henry Clinton for permission to send Tobacco to Charles Town, but I apprehend it will not be granted, as I think a request of a similar nature has been heretofore refused.2
Inclosed you have some additions to the arrangements of the Penna line—They have been transmitted to me by Brig. Genl Wayne.3 I have the honor to be &.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. See Board of War to GW, 2 and 8 May.
2. GW wrote Gen. Henry Clinton from New Windsor on this date: “I am directed to enquire whether permission will be granted to ship 600 Hhds of Tobacco from the States of Virginia and Maryland to Charles Town in South Carolina, to be there sold, and the proceeds applied to the support of the American prisoners of War.
“Should this proposition meet your Excellency’s approbation, I will transmit the names of the Vessels and Masters and apply to you for the necessary passports—or it may perhaps be equally convenient to give directions to Major General Phillips or the Officer commanding His Britannic Majestys forces in Virginia to grant the passports there” (LS, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, P.R.O.: 30/55, Carleton Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW). Clinton denied permission for the tobacco shipments when he replied to GW on 21 May.
3. See Anthony Wayne to GW, 7 May.