George Washington to William Livingston, 9 June 1781
To William Livingston
Head Quarters New Windsor June 9th 1781
Dear Sir
I am honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 1st Instant.1 Upon examining the state of Ammunition, with reference to the proposed operations, it is found impossible to furnish more than fifteen thousand Musket Cartridges for the Use of the State of New Jersey;2 especially at a time, when, we are obliged to sollicit a loan of Powder from the Eastern States,3 and when, the supply of lead in possession of the Public, is very incompetent to our wants.
It is unnecessary to mention to your Excellency that the strictest œconomy should be enforced in the distribution & expenditure of so essential an Article. With great respect & esteem I am Your Excellency’s Most obedt Hble Servt
Go: Washington
P.S. An Order for the Cartridges is enclosed.4
LS, in David Humphreys’s writing, NN: William Livingston Papers; Df, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. See Livingston to GW, 1 June.
2. See Henry Knox to GW, 8 June, found at GW to Knox, same date, n.2; see also The Wethersfield Conference and Aftermath, 14 May–16 June, editorial note.
3. GW refers to New England (see GW to Jonathan Trumbull, Sr., 25 May, and the source note to that document).
4. The enclosure has not been identified.