The writings of George Washington; being his correspondence, addresses, messages, and other papers, official and private, selected and published from the original manuscripts; with a life of the author, notes and illustrations. By Jared Sparks.

216 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [_/ET. 24.
come in immediately. You would be surprised how
the poor creatures live, much more how they can do
duty. Had we but blankets, they might be appeased
for a little time. As we have not, I fear many will
desert.
I advised you formerly of our necessity for cash, and
I'now earnestly request it soon. I think of sending down
by the 10th of next month, or sooner if agreeable.
Please to inform me upon what I may depend, as our
men are impatient, and with some reason, when without
both money and clothes. I need not urge the advantage of small bills. We shall have occasion for at least
six thousand pounds to clear us to the 1st of January.
The commissary wants above half that sum to furnish
his stock of provisions. The remainder will be exhausted in paying the troops. We ought always to
have money in hand, as we are often reduced to many
inconveniences by waiting for it, not to mention the expense and trouble. *
I am, dear Sir, your most obliged and affectionate
humble servant.
* In reply to this letter Mr. Speaker Robinson wrote; —
"I am truly concerned at the uneasiness you are under in your present
situation, and the more so, as I am sensible you have too much reason for
it. The resolution of defending Fort Cumberland, and evacuating the
other forts, was taken before I knew or mistrusted any thing of the matter.
I must confess I was not a little surprised at it, and took the liberty to expostulate with many of the Council upon it, who gave me in answer, that
Lord Loudoun had insisted that Fort Cumberland should be preserved,
and, as we had so few troops, it could not be done without breaking up the
small forts, and taking the men from them.
"It was to no purpose to tell them, that our frontiers would thereby be
entirely exposed to our cruel and savage enemy, and that they could receive no protection from Fort Cumberland, as it was in another province,
and so remote from any of our inhabitants;- and further,. that the act of
Assembly, which gave the money solely for the defence and protection of
our frontiers, would be violated, and the money applied otherwise than the
Assembly intended. Yet, notwithstanding all I could say they persisted