The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 1 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
History
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 1 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865
SIR,--Your Excellency's letter on the discriminations which have been
heretofore made, between the troops raised within this State, and
considered as part of our quota, and those not so considered, was
delivered me four days ago. I immediately laid it before the Assembly,
who thereupon came to the resolution I now do myself the honor of
enclosing you. The resolution of Congress, of March 15th, 1779, which
you were so kind as to enclose, was never known in this State till
a few weeks ago, when we received printed copies of the Journals of
Congress. It would be a great satisfaction to us, to receive an exact
return of all the men we have in Continental service, who come within
the description of the resolution, together with our State troops
in Continental service. Colonel Cabell was so kind as to send me a
return of the Continental regiments commanded by Lord Sterling, of
the first and second Virginia State regiments, and of Colonel Gist's
regiment. Besides these are the following; viz., Colonel Harrison's
regiment of artillery, Colonel Bayler's horse, Colonel Bland's horse,
General Scott's new levies, part of which are gone to Carolina, and
part are here, Colonel Gibson's regiment stationed on the Ohio, Heath
and O'Hara's independent companies at the same stations, Colonel
Taylor's regiment of guards to the Convention troops: of these, we
have a return. There may, possibly, be others not occurring to me.
A return of all these would enable us to see what proportion of the
Continental army is contributed by us. We have, at present, very
pressing calls to send additional numbers of men to the southward. No
inclination is wanting in either the Legislature or Executive, to aid
them or strengthen you; but we find it very difficult to procure men.
I herewith transmit to your Excellency some recruiting commissions,
to be put into such hands as you may think proper, for re-enlisting
such of our soldiery as are not already engaged for the war. The Act
of Assembly, authorizing these instructions, requires that the men
enlisted should be reviewed and received by an officer to be appointed
for that purpose; a caution less necessary in the case of men now
actually in service, and, therefore, doubtless, able bodied, than in
the raising new recruits. The direction, however, goes to all cases,
and, therefore, we must trouble your Excellency with the appointment of
one or more officers of review. Mr. Moss, our agent, receives orders,
which accompany this, to pay the bounty money and recruiting money,
and to deliver the clothing. We have, however, certain reason to fear
he has not any great sum of money on hand; and it is absolutely out of
our power, at this time, to supply him, or to say, with certainty, when
we shall be able to do it. He is instructed to note his acceptances
under the draughts, and to assure payment as soon as we shall have it
in our power to furnish him, as the only substitute for money. Your
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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