HAMILTON TO THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS.
July 26, 1776.
Gentlemen:
I am obliged to trouble you, to remove a difficulty which arises respecting the quantity of subsistence which is to be allowed my men. Inclosed you have the rates of rations, which is the standard allowance of the whole continental, and even the provincial, army; but it seems Mr. Curtenius cannot afford to supply us with more than his contract stipulates; which, by comparison, you will perceive is considerably less than the forementioned rate.
My men, you are sensible, are, by their articles, entitled to the same subsistence with the continental troops: and it would be to them an insupportable discrimination, as well as a breach of the terms of their enlistment, to give them almost a third less provisions than the whole army besides receives. I doubt not you will readily put this matter upon a proper footing.
Hitherto we have drawn our full allowance from Mr. Curtenius; but he did it upon the supposition that he would have a farther consideration for the extraordinary supply.
At present, however, he scruples to proceed in the same way, till it can be put upon a more certain foundation. I am, gentlemen,
With the utmost esteem and respect,
Your most ob’t and most humble serv’t,
A. Hamilton,
Captain of New-York Artillery.