[40] _August 4th._ Having omitted in my minutes to make mention of the assistance I have received from Gouverneur Morris, I think it proper to declare, that he has most cheerfully afforded me every advice and assistance, which his genius and abilities enabled him to afford, from my first appointment to this time; and that I found him so capable and useful as to induce me to solicit his assistance in an official character, which having readily consented to, I made a verbal engagement with him, since confirmed by my letter of appointment, dated on the 6th of July last, being the date of the Acts of Congress, which fixes a salary for my assistant, and he is of course entitled to that salary from date. _Diary._ * * * * * TO GEORGE WASHINGTON. Camp, August 13th, 1781. Sir, The orders of Congress, which we have the honor to communicate, directing us to confer with your Excellency on the subject of the proposed numbers and arrangements of the army for the next campaign, not having pointed out the reasons for inducing the measure, we have the honor to lay before you our ideas on the subject, so far as we are acquainted with the matter, from a long conference at which we were present in Philadelphia, held by a committee of Congress, the Superintendent of Finance, and the Board of War, pursuant to a resolution of Congress, with a copy of which your Excellency has been furnished.