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.

APPENDIX.] EXPENSES. 571
No. XV.
GENERAL WASHINGTON'S EXPENSES WHILE ACTING AS
COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE AMERICAN ARMIES.
According to his declaration when he accepted his commission,
General Washington never received any pecuniary compensation
for his services. He kept exact accounts of all his expenditures,
and, after the cessation of hostilities, he drew up with his own
hand a detailed statement of these accounts, extending to more
than sixty folio pages. This statement, with the original vouchers,
was deposited in the Treasury Department, where it is still preserved. A fac-simile of the whole paper has been published; and
it affords a memorable proof of the strict regard, which he laid to
the public interest in the minutest particulars. The following
abstract and remarks are taken from the original, dated July 1st,
1783, as exhibited in his own handwriting, and expressed in lawful money, or the old currency of Massachusetts and Virginia.
Household expenses, exclusive of the provisions had from
the commissaries and contractors, and liquors, &c. from
them and others,.. ~3387 14 4
Expended for secret intelligence,... 1982 10
Expended in reconnoitring and travelling,.. 1874 8 8
Miscellaneous charges,... 2952 10 I
One hundred and sixty thousand and seventy-four dollars, extended in lawful money, according to the
scale of depreciation,. 6114 14
Expenditures of eight years ~16311 17 1
Mrs. Washington's travelling expenses in coming to and
returning from his winter-quarters, the money to defray which being taken from his private purse and
brought with her from Virginia,... 1064 1 0
Expenditure from July 1st to the time of resigning his
commission,'..... 1930 13 8
Total, Virginia currency, ~19306 11 9
Or sterling, ~14479 18 94
Or dollars, at 4s. 6d. sterling each, $ 64,355.30
In addition to this amount he charged to the government ~2S8,
lawful money, as the interest on ~599 19 11, which was the balance due to him on the 31st of December, 1776, the amount
having been applied from his private funds for public objects during