Head Quarters, October 2, 1782.

    Dear Sir: Though it is not my wish or design to wound you with fruitless complaints, of which I know you are not the cause, and for the consequences of which you cannot be responsible, yet I have judged it expedient you should be made acquainted with the actual temper and disposition of the Army; a sketch of which is given without diminution or exageration (to the best of my knowledge) in the enclosed Copy of a Letter to the Secry at War. I confess it seems to me not only an act of policy but of justice, instead of irritating the Minds of our Officers and Men, to soothe and accommodate them in all their reasonable wishes and expectations so far as the circumstances will admit. I am sensible you coincide entirely in the same sentiment.

    In the Store Ship, which has lately arrived from Amsterdam, I am informed (tho not thro' a proper channel) there was a considerable quantity of Linnen and Hose for Officers. These or any other Articles proper for them, I should think it would be expedient to have forwarded and delivered upon account of their pay. I have written by this conveyance to the Clothier Genl on the subject; and pressed him to use his utmost exertions to send on the Cloathing, particularly the Soldiers shirts; respecting which, I had previously given him my sentiments; that Letter, he has probably communicated to you, for the purpose of obtaining the Means of transportation, &c. ⁴² I have the honor, etc. ⁴³

[Note:Morris answered (October 15): "There is no man in America more heartily disposed than I am to remove from the Army and from all others who have Claims on the Public every just Ground of Complaint. But with the Means in my Power, how is it possible? I have been obliged to submit to Cancelling one Contract and forming another at one third Advance on the former Price, for the want of a meer Trifle compared with what we had a Right to expect. I am in Advance on Credit to an Amount which you can scarcely form an Idea of altho I have declined every Expenditure not indispensible. That Part of the late arrival of Cloathing which is unfit for Soldiers Use is now, Selling to pay off Debts contracted by the Cloathing Department during my Administration. Among these Debts are twelve thousand Dollars for needle Work done by People in extreme Indigence. The Cloathing which arrived fit for Officers wear was inadequate to the Purpose of Cloathing them all. The Division must have created Confusion and raised Disputes. If this had not been the Case still it would have been liable to the Inconveniences attending partial Payments, and we should have been justly Reproached for having broken repeated Promises that no such Payments should take Place. Congress have done all in their Power to procure Money for the Army. My own Efforts I shall not dwell upon. If money is obtained that will produce Satisfaction. I am sure that nothing else will. My Credit has already been on the Brink of Ruin. If that goes, all is gone, but if it can be preserved there will in the last Necessity be some Chance of making advances on Credit to the Army as well as to others. Thus Sir you will see that I look forward as far as my distressed Situation will admit; but after all if the States cannot be prevailed on to make greater Exertions it is difficult to foresee where the Thing is to terminate." Morris's letter is in the Washington Papers . ]

[Note:The draft is in the writing of David Humphreys. ]