[Extract]
Sir. Since my last to you by Colo: [Rudolphus] Ritz[e]ma, Major [Matthias] Ogden is arrived from Quebec with the inclosed to you from General [Benedict] Arnold. he also delivered me a Letter from General [David] Wooster Copy whereof with Copy of a Return of the Military Stores in Canada I also inclose.
By the Return of the Military Stores you will see how vastly deficient we are in almost every Article, and how necessary it is that a Supply should be sent ー I have it not in my power to send any Thing for I have Nothing.
Mr [Joseph] Trumbull's Deputy goes to Canada with what little Money there is in Chest ー I have desired him to take all the Money he can get in Canada and draw upon this principal here ー a considerable Sum I believe will be got in that Way, as a Number of Merchants are gone with vast Quantitys of West India Goods ー I have encouraged them to bring Blankets and such things as our Army may stand in Need of and that whatever mignt be wanted would be purchased of them.
The Captains of the two pennsylvania Companies have this Moment informed me that their Men are without Mittins and Mockinsons, of the latter I have only been able to procure about 120 pair, of the former I have none; I shall try to supply them some how or other ー I could wish that every Colony in which Troops are raised supplyed the Men with all these Necessaries ー It causes a long Detention here and after all they cannot be equipped as they should be.
The Troops in Canada will be in great Want of Shoes; Major Ogden informs me that none are to be had there, nor can I get any here. I have employed people to purchase what they can get.
Be so good as to send up Money that the Connecticut Troops may be paid ー I have been under the Necessity of allowing the pay from the places where they were discharged until they got Home, and for their Subsistance on the Way ー If I had not done this the recruiting Service would have gone on very tardily.
The Accounts of Monies advanced to any of the Regiments for the Northern Army should be transmitted to the Deputy pay Master General as soon as the Regiments march otherwise the same Confusion will take place that has distressed us so much last Year. I shall take the Liberty to make this Request to the different Colonies. I am Sir [&c.]
