I shall also be obliged to you for using your influence with the gentlemen of Baltimore to permit any vessels, which may be in that port to come up to the Elk to assist us in transportation. I have little doubt, from the cheerfulness with which they furnished the Marquis de Lafayette last winter, that they will comply with your requisition on the present occasion. But lest there should be a necessity for the interference of the Executive of the State, I have written to Governor Lee, upon that and other matters. I enclose the letter under flying seal for your information, and you will be good enough to forward it by a chain of expresses, which is established. Any vessels, which may be procured in the Chesapeake, should rendezvous as soon as possible in Elk river.
You will be pleased to make the deposit of flour, rum, and salt meat, at the head of the Elk, which I requested in a former letter.
I am very fearful, that about fifteen hundred barrels of salt provisions, and thirty hogsheads of rum, which I directed to be sent from Connecticut and Rhode Island, under convoy of the Count de Barras, would not have been ready when the fleet sailed from Newport. Should that have been the case, the disappointment will be great. I would wish you to see whether a like quantity of those articles can be procured in Philadelphia, or in Maryland, if we should find that they have not gone round from the eastward.
I must entreat you if possible to procure one month's pay in specie for the detachment, which I have under my command. Part of the troops have not been paid anything for a long time past, and have upon several occasions shown marks of great discontent. The service they are going upon, is disagreeable to the northern regiments, but I make no doubt, that a douceur of a little hard money would put them in proper temper. If the whole sum cannot be obtained, a part of it will be better than none, as it may be distributed in proportion to the respective wants and claims of the men.
The American detachment will assemble in this neighborhood today. The French army tomorrow.
I have the honor to be, &c.
GEORGE WASHINGTON.
TO DONALDSON YEATES.
Office of Finance, August 28th, 1781.
Sir,