From George Washington to Colonel Theodorick Bland, 22 July 1778
To Colonel Theodorick Bland
Head Quarters White plains 22d July 1778
Dear Sir
I have yours of the 27th ulto. I am exceedingly mortified at hearing, that after Colol Temple has been so many months ⟨in⟩ Virginia employed solely in procuring cloathing for the Regiment, that the greatest part of what he had engaged should have been applied to other purposes, by Mr Finnie. The Men of your Regiment now here are in a manner destitute ⟨o⟩f cloathing, and having still depended upon receiving a supply from Virginia every day, have made no provision.1 The Officers who had the charge of procuring necessaries for Moylans and Sheldons Regiments have long since compleated the Business and the men are well equipped. Matters being thus circumstanced with you, I see nothing better to be done than for Lt Colo. Temple to come immediately forward with what Cloathing he has, and to call upon the Cloathier Genl in Philada and leave an order for what is deficient.
I cannot give any direction about the disposal of the Money sent to Colo. Baylor and yourself, that is a matter which you must settle between yourselves. He undoubtedly, if it comes first to his hands, should give you your share, and not suffer you to be embarrassed on acct of your public engagements.
If you think that the eight or ten Men, mentioned by you, cannot come forward without danger of taking the small Pox upon the Road, you had better innoculate them; but I had rather they should have it done after they join the Regt. I am &c.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. On 30 July, GW’s aide-de-camp Alexander Hamilton wrote to the Virginia commissary of clothing: “His Excellency is informed, that there is a quantity of state-cloathing coming on under your direction for the use of the Virginia troops. It has been hinted to him, that measures are taking to get particular regiments fully supplied to the disadvantage of others, which certainly would be altogether inequitable and improper. He desires you will make a point whatever partial applications may be made, to observe one general equal rule in distributing the Cloathing—that every regiment may have a due proportion according to its numbers and wants. This, with proper care you will have it in your power to effect and justice and the good of the service essentially demand the most exact adherence to it” (DLC:GW).