Baltimore Feby. 26th 1777
Sir
We take the opportunity of a Waggon going to Camp with money, to send to your care one hundred and twenty thousand dollars which Congress ordered for the Secret Committee to answer the purchases of woolens &c made for the Army by Messrs. Turnbull & Livingston. But since this conveyance stops at the Camp, we think some safe and speedy method should be fallen upon to convey this money to Messrs. Turnbull & Livingston, which we pray you to undertake.1 As a Clothier General is now appointed, it appears to us that the end of their Agency is superceeded, and that they should be so informed, and desired to make up their accounts and settle them with this Committee immediately, after delivering to the Clothier General or his order all the goods purchased for the army and taking his or their receipts for the same as vouchers for this Committee.2 If you approve this, be pleased to give such information & directions to the above Gentlemen. We are getting the Caroline (a ship of 600 hogsheads) ready with all expedition, and propose ordering her to Mr. Stephen Stewart to load, because he says that about 400 hogsheads of his purchase are not of quality to venture being kept. The Brig we purchased will be ordered to Messrs. Hunters, and we think of directing a small Ship to Rappahannock that we are agreeing for with Mr. Dugan which lays now at Dartmouth, and which we have proposed to charter on terms reasonable enough for the Continent.3 We think it wise to inlarge our purchase of tobo. before the rage of excessive demand contaminates Virginia as it has done this and the Northern States. With this view we have desired Mr. Thomas Jett a Merchant of established reputation at Leeds Town in the Northern Neck to purchase one thousand hogsheads on the most reasonable terms he possible can.
We are with esteem and regard, Sir your most obedient and very humble servants,
Richard Henry Lee
Wm. Whipple
Fras. Lewis
Receiver's copy, New York State Library, Albany. Written by Lee and signed by Lee, Lewis, and Whipple.
1 This letter was undoubtedly written to Robert Morris in his capacity as chairman of the Secret Committee. The money, which had been advanced to the committee on February 15, was sent from Philadelphia by express on March 6. See JCC, 7:126; and Summary of Secret Committee Proceedings, March 6, 1777.
2 On January 10 Washington had appointed James Mease as clothier general of the Continental Army. Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 6:492. Regarding the settlement of accounts with the Secret Committee, see JCC, 7:220378211;21.
3 See Secret Committee to the Massachusetts Council, March 27, 1777.