Washington, George, 1732-1799: The writings of George Washington from the original manuscript sources: Volume 8, 1745-1799. [The Modern English Collection at the University of Virginia Electronic Text Center.]

George Washington To The Massachusetts Legislature

Cambridge, January 16, 1776.

Genl.: Your several Resolves, in consequence of my Letters of the 10th and 15th inst., have been presented to me by a Committee of your Honble. Body. 23 I thank you for the assurances, of being zealously disposed to do every thing in your power to facilitate the recruiting the American Army, and at the same time that I assure you, I do not entertain a doubt of the truth of it, I must beg leave to add, that I conceive you have mistaken the meaning of my Letter of the 10th., if you suppose it ever was my Idea, that you should offer a bounty at the seperate expence of this Colony.

[See Washington's letter to The Massachusetts Legislature, Jan. 10, 1776, ante. The letter of January 15 merely referred an expense account to the legislature for payment.]

It was not clear to me, but that some coercive measures might be used on this, as on former occasions, to draft men to compleat the Regiments upon the Continental Establishment: But as this is thought unadviseable, I shall rely on your recommending to the selectmen and committees of Correspondence &c. to exert themselves in their several Towns, to promote the Inlistments for the American Army. 24

[Ford quotes from James Warren's letter to Samuel Adams (January 14): "I think the service has suffered and the enlistments been embarrassed, by the low state in which you keep your treasury here. Had the general been able to have paid off the old army to the last of December, when their term expired, and to give assurances for the pay of the militia when their continuance in the army should end, it might have produced many good effects -- among others added some thousands to the army. You will be surprised, perhaps, when I tell you there is but about 10,000 dollars here; and that left by the necessary parsimony of the general, not knowing what occasion there might be for a little. The time for which our militia came in, ends to-morrow. We have presumed so much on the public spirit of our countrymen as to make no other provision, though everything depends on their staying, and they wish to be at home. Our house adjourned yesterday morning, and the members went down among them to use their influence. I flatter myself most of them will stay to the last of this month." (See Proceedings of the Massachusetts Historical Society, vol. 14, p. 277.)]

In the mean while, as there is an appearance of this service going on but slowly, and it is necessary to have a respectable Body of Troops here as soon as possible, to act as circumstances shall require; I must beg that you will order in, with as much expedition as the Nature of the Case will admit of, Seven Regts. agreeable to the establishment of this Army, to continue in Service till the 1st of April, If required. You will be pleased to direct, that the Men come provided with good Arms, Blankets, Kettles for cooking, and if possible, with Twenty rounds of Powder and Ball.

With respect to your other resolve relative to arms, I am quite ready to make an absolute purchase, of such as shall be furnished either by the Colony or Individuals. I am also ready to engage payment for all the Arms, which shall be furnished by the Recruits, if lost in the Public Service; but I do not know how far I could be justified in allowing for the use of them; when I know it to be the opinion of Congress, that every Man shall furnish his own Arms, or pay for the use of them, if put in his hands. To do otherwise, is an Indirect way of raising the pay. I again wish that the Honble: Court could devise some method of purchasing.

I beg leave to return my thanks for the kind offer of Fifty thousand Pounds for the Continental use. I will accept of a Loan upon the terms mentioned, of half that sum; to secure payment of the Militia, whose time of Service will be up the last of this Month; till when I shall not have occasion to make use of the Money. I am etc.

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