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The George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress, 1741-1799
George Washington to Continental Congress, September 8, 1780
Head Qrs. near Hackensack New-bridge, September 8, 1780.
Sir: Since the letter which I did myself the honor to write Congress the 20th. Ulto. I have been more attentively considering the import of the resolution of the 5th of August, and am at a loss to satisfy myself as to its precise extent, whether it be meant to authorise me to extend my views beyond the present Campaign and even to apply to the Ministers of France and Spain in Europe, or only to concert plans for the present fall and Winter with the Ministers and Officers of those powers on the Continent or in the West Indies. The latter appeared to me the most natural construction and was the one I had adopted, but intimations have been given me by particular Gentlemen that Congress understood the resolve in the first sense. If, I have been mistaken in my interpretation I request to have the resolve explained in a full and explicit manner. If I am right, no explanation will be necessary.23
[Note 23: No explanation by Congress is found in the Washington Papers or the Papers of the Continental Congress.]
I also take the liberty to request to be informed whether Congress in two or three Months from the present period can rely on being able to furnish Specie, or Bills on Europe for the maintenance of a body of four or five thousand men in a Country where the paper of these States will not serve as a Currency.
I should also be glad if Congress will have the goodness to assist me with some lights how far the States of South and North Carolina have ability to contribute to the Support of an Army in the Articles of Bread, Meat, Forage, Horses and Waggons. I suppose an army to be there sufficient to secure to us the full command of them.
I entreat as speedy an answer as possible to these points, which are of the greatest consequence in determining our future plans, particularly I wish for immediate information on the Subject of the money.
But the basis of every plan we can form is an Army and the means of subsistence; without immediate measures to supply the places of the Men who leave us, by the first of January we shall scarcely have any thing that deserves the name of one. Our whole efficient force in this quarter will then probably be less than Six thousand Men. In proposing plans of co-operation, I must engage that something specific shall be performed on our part. Congress will be sensible that I cannot do this, as to any plan of future execution, when I know that our Army will be reduced one half in less than four Months, and when so far from being certain that we shall have it in our power to replace the Men in time, I do not even know what measures will be attempted for the purpose, nor when they will be undertaken. The honor of Congress and the States as well as my own reputation, forbid me to enter into engagements, which I have no assurances of our being able to fulfil. I have the honor etc.24
[Note 24: The letter was read in Congress on September 12 and referred to the committee on Washington's letter to the President of Congress of Aug. 20, 1780.]
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