The very obliging kindness his Excellency hath heard with, yesterday evening my observations on some parts of his answer to the extract of my instructions I had the honor to deliver him, has emboldened me to take the liberty of asking from him some few questions more, in hopes I shall be excused in case some of them may appear some what indiscreet, as his Excellency can answer to them so far only as to put me in right, in my ensuing conduct by the Congress, without letting me in the secret of his plan for the ensuing Campaign, more than he must think fit.

1st General Rochambeau is perswaded he will, in any case that may happen, of large or small supplies of Reinforcement from France, want magazines in the Jersey States; must I insist in my application to Congress, for their forming.

2d If the Congress is able to provide for the supply of the French forces, some considerable quantity of subsistances in the Jersey, it could be useful to spare as much as possible the Stores laid on North River, as well for the American, as the french Army. If the latter cannot conveniently make use of what could be stored in the Jersey cannot then his Excellency make use of some part of such supplies intended for our use, & in lieu thereof give over to the disposition of the French General some part of the supplies provided for the use of his own Army, on North & Connecticut River. I think I must insist the most, on the fulfilling this view, as it seems to me by his Excellencys answer, that it shall be more easy for the Congress to draw supplies, specially of flour & Corn, from the middle & Southern States, than from the Northern ones, and as the Stores laid on the North, who can be at hand for enterprizes, if we are enabled to make some, & to supply for winter quarters, if the Campaign cannot be active enough, as to drive the enemy from these parts, must by all means be spared with the utmost care. And as some difficulties may arise from our own Commissaries in the execution of this plan, if his Excellency approves it, and if the Congress can enable us to follow it, I can in proper time furnish him with means to prevent such difficulties, chiefly feared from selfish & interested view[s].

3d Some Salt meat can be wasted. does his Excellency thinks it would be convenient to insist on some supplies of this kind from the middle & Southern States, as it looks very proper to preserve [le] Eastern States for the furniture of live Cattle, we must endeavour to have in some plenty, for the preservation of the health of our Soldiers.

4th In the variety of events that can happen to take place, it could perhaps become very convenient for the french Army, as well as to the possibility of means in the hands of the Congress, to be supplied with teams, whom the Congress can pay in Continental currency, and as much as I know, can be procured in some quantity from Pensylvania; Can I then, with out obstructing the measures agreed on, for the Service of the American Army ask some from the Congress.

Answers

New Windsor May 7th 1781

As nothing can be more consonant to General Washington’s wishes than to give all the satisfaction in his power to Colo. Menonville, he will answer the foregoing questions with willingness and Candor. to the first he begs leave to observe

1st That he thinks it unsafe (in our circumstances) to form large magazines in the State of New Jersey on acct of its proximity to the enemys principal force at New York, & our want of Troops to cover & secure them—Because a naval superiority on our side, would render them in a very great degree unnecessary, in that State as water transportation wou’d, in that event, be more convenient & less expensive than that by land—and because Philadelphia, supposing this superiority should not be obtained, wd be much safer, & almost as convenient as any place in Jersey for magazine. Trenton might do for a small Magazine—a large one would be too great a temptation to be of the enemy for the convenience of it to be a counterpoize to the risk.

2d Genl Washington understands this article to mean nothing more, than an exchange of provisions when the conveniency of the two Armies can be promoted by a reciprocal saving of transportation (because whatever the American Commissary may have upon the North River, is at all times convenient if not essential for the Garrison at West point)—In this view of the matter, there can be no possible objection on the part of General Washington to the exchange of provn—& it will ever be his wish to make things as agreeable as possible to his Excellency Genl Rochambeau & the French Army under his orders.

3d The Fall of the year being the usual Season for Salting Meat the proposition contained in this article cannot, it is apprehended, be complied with; especially as there is a scarcity of Beef Cattle in the Middle States.

4th This article Genl Washington can only speak in part. Teams, no doubt, may be had from Pensylvania & other States without inconvenience or derangement of the plan of the American Q. Master Genl; but how far the mode proposed by Colo. Menonville to pay for them, can be adopted by Congress, they alone can determine.