Philadelphia, 17 May 1781. “We have to acknowledge your Excellencys favour of the fifth Instant1—the observations on the address of the Artillery Officers of Colonel Proctors Regiment contain so perfect and satisfactory an answer that we hope we shall have no occasion to trouble your Excellency on that subject again much less shall we by any act of ours contravene a system which is established not only by Resolutions of Congress and constant usage but sanctified with your approbation.” The council says it “cannot consider Colonel Proctors resignation in the light of a publick misfortune as he has for a long time traversed every measure proposed by this Board.” The council claims also to be “now at a loss to know in what light to consider Colonel Forest.”2

At length, the council explains the “party views” in the state legislature that have hindered compliance with the “extraordinary requisitions” of Congress; purports to have lacked the “hard money” necessary to obtain flour, and says it cannot use “compulsory means” to obtain supplies because the laws for such measures had expired. The council explains the circumstances surrounding Lt. John Bigham’s court-martial3 and the “confusion and delay” in paying the Pennsylvania line preparatory to its march to the south.

The letter concludes: “Conscious of having faithfully, and diligently applied to the publick service, denying ourselves, not only a common attention to our private affairs, but even the smallest amusements, and having to the best of our understandings transacted the publick business intrusted to our charge, next to the approbation of our own minds, we would wish to give satisfaction to the Country, and in a particular manner to your Excellency. But as in the Beginning of this Contest when want of discipline, of courage, and other military virtues brought on losses and defeats, too many sought to ascribe them to their Generals so now finding the publick credit fund, Taxes demanded, and the spirit which animated them in the Beginning of the Contest, absorbed by private Considerations, there are too many who seek to exonerate themselves by the most unfair, and even cruel imputations on their Rulers. For our parts in particular, we find our burthens so great, and our Offices so unthankful that we shall most chearfully give place to Men of better abilities, and to whom more confidence may be given—in fidelity and diligence we cannot yield to any. And Whenever our Country shall think proper to dismiss us either with praise or censure, we shall retire with the consciousness of having with sincerity and diligence, endeavoured to do our duty. While we remain in Office, we shall (as we may be supported and enabled) exert ourselves for the publick welfare and ever pay a scrupulous regard to the Requisitions of Congress and the Representations your Excellency may think proper to make.”4