Captain Singleton, having left the camp the day after the battle, does, not speak from particular returns, none such having been then made. I must inform your Excellency from him, till more regular applications can reach you, that they are in extreme want of lead, cartridge-paper, and thread. I think it improper, however it might urge an instantaneous supply, to repeat to you his statement of the extent of their stock of these articles. In a former letter, I mentioned to you the failure of the vein of our lead mines, which has left the army here in a state of equal distress and danger. I have the honor to be, with very high respect and esteem, your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servant, Th: Jefferson. P. S. Look-out boats have been ordered from the sea-board of the eastern shore, to apprise the Commander of the French fleet, on its approach, of the British being in the Chesapeake. T. J. LETTER XLIX.--TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS, March 26,1781 TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. In Council, Richmond, March 26,1781. Sir, The appointment of commissioner to the war-office of this State having lately become vacant, the Executive are desirous to place Colonel William Davies, of the Virginia Continentals, in that office. This gentleman, however, declines undertaking it, unless his rank in the army, half pay for life and allowance for depreciation of pay, can be reserved to him; observing with justice, that these emoluments, distant as they are, are important to a person who has spent the most valuable part of his youth in the service of his country. As this indulgence rests in the power of Congress alone, I am induced to request it of them on behalf of the State, to whom it is very interesting that the office be properly filled, and I may say, on behalf of the Continent also, to whom the same circumstance is interesting, in proportion to its reliance upon this State for supplies to the southern war. We should not have given Congress the trouble of this application, had we found it easy to call any other to the office, who was likely to answer our wishes in the exercise of it. I have the honor to be, with sentiments of the highest respect, your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servant, Th: Jefferson. LETTER L.--TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS, March 28, 1781 TO HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS. Richmond, March 28, 1781. Sir, I forward to your Excellency, under cover with this, copies of letters received from Major General Greene and Baron Steuben, which will give you the latest account of the situation of things with us and in North Carolina.