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.

104 WASHINGTON'S WRITINGS. [_ET. 49.
very little salt meat, and most of it has been consumed
upon the communication by the recruits, or transported
to Albany. Rhode Island purchased one thousand barrels, of which about six hundred remain at Providence,
and I would wish them to be still kept there for a particular purpose. I could never learn, with certainty,
how much was put up in New Hampshire; but I have
directed all that was at Portsmouth to be transported
by water to Providence, as I wish to form a small magazine of salt provision at that place, as I mentioned
before, for a particular purpose. No magazines of rum
have been formed. We have been in a manner destitute of that necessary article, and what we are now
likely to draw from the several States will be from hand
to mouth. From the foregoing state of facts you will
perceive in how small a degree the requisitions of
Congress have been complied with, and may form a
judgment of the miserable manner in which the army
has been subsisted.
Having lately, at the request of the Board of War,
furnished them with my opinion of the quantity of provision, which ought to be laid up at the several posts,
they will be able, at the interview which you propose
to have with them, to lay before you my ideas upon the
subject of a contract for supplying the army. I beg
you to be assured, that I never can think your correspondence tedious or troublesome. Duty as well as
inclination will always prompt me to listen with pleasure to your observations upon the state of our public
affairs; and I shall think myself happy, if I can in any
manner contribute to assist you in the arduous task
you have undertaken. I shall very anxiously wait for
the visit, which you promise to make me. I am, with
very sincere respect and esteem, &c.