Philadela. Sepr. 5th. 1780.
Dear Sir
Majr. Giles has a Warrant from the Board of War for a Number of Articles, which I am in hopes will cloath his troops tolerably well for the present. He is still in this Town where I have advised him to stay untill he has secured his Clothing, which is in the Store at Camp. He will not be wanting at camp immediately, as I am afraid all hopes of offensive operations against N. York is entirely frustrated by the Want of a superior naval Force. The General has discharged the Militia of this and other States, partly from the cause above, but principally for the want of provisions. The Army has been for some Days without meat and has only depended upon the gleanings of the neighbouring Country which is now entirely exhausted. Flour is from day to Day scantily supplied, and often a small quantity is gone which the General has drawn from West point. There is not a Nother Barrel nearer than Trenton. It is in vain to veil our Situation, the Army must disband, unless other States will do as Maryland has done; If Laws taking the surplus of provisions wer passed in some States relief might be given. The Generals Letter upon the present State of the Army is a circular one,1 and I presume you have it before now. All the provisions that have been procured ought to be forwarded as soon as possible. This subject I flatter myself will engage your Excellency’ and the Council’ attention.
The plates for the new Emissions meet with great delays. It was with some difficulty that we procured metal proper for them. The Workman who has undertaken it, has made little progress in the Business and is now very unwell, so that I can give no certain information when you may expect them.
The papers respecting Col. Hollinsworth will be sent forward by to Days post;2 your Letter and the Colonels on that subject 3 I put in to the Hands of a Gentleman of the Treasury. The British Fleet has left Rhode Island and are on their return to N. York. It is said a Number of empty transports are ready for some purpose, but what is not yet known.
Mr. Hanson has been very unwell for a week past and of course the State unrepresented. It is now a very critical Time, and I wish not to be alone. I have wrote to Majr. Jenifer and beg you will do the same, urging the necessity of his attendance.
I am Sir with the highest respect and Esteem your obdt and hble. Servt.
J. Henry Junr.
Receiver’s copy, Maryland State Papers (Red Books), Maryland Hall of Records Commission, Annapolis.
1 For Washington’s August 27 appeal to the states, see Washington, Writings (Fitzpatrick), 19:449 - 51.
2 On August 15 Congress had ordered the Board of Treasury to forward "all the papers" relating to the forgery case of Deputy Quartermaster Henry Hollingsworth to the governor of Maryland, for which see Samuel Huntington to Charles Pettit, July 21, 1780, note.
3 Not in PCC.