From George Washington to Colonel William Malcom, 11 September 1778
To Colonel William Malcom
Head Quarters [White Plains] 11th Sepr 1778.
Sir
I am favd with yours of the 10th with the weekly Returns of the Garrison.
By a special agreement with the Artificers, they draw larger Rations than the Soldiers, you are therefore to allow them, what Colo. Baldwin’s draw here, which I think is 1 ½ ℔. Bread or Flour 1 ½ ℔. Meat and half a pint of Rum ⅌ day.
Altho’ your Qr Mr would be very useful here at present, yet Colo. Hay has pointed out the difficulties the Garrison would be under for want of him, in such a manner, that I must consent to his staying.
You will detain the four hundred repaired Arms expected from Albany, for the use of Colo. Hogans Regiment, and desire as many more to be sent down as will complete them. The armourers shop is, I am told, in very fine order at Albany, and I would not therefore wish to break in upon it, by drawing off the hands.1 I would rather you should endeavour to find a few Gun Smiths among your own men and put them under the direction of Mr Allen at Fishkill to repair the Arms of the Garrison. I am &c.
Df, in Tench Tilghman’s writing, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. This information apparently came from Maj. Gen. Horatio Gates, who wrote Philip Van Rensselaer on 14 Sept: “I have in the strongest manner recommended the Armory at Albany to the protection and encouragement of His Excellency General Washington” (, 184).