I wrote you by Mr. Young (Mr. Mease's Clerk) a long & confidential Letter which I hope will reach you safely. I have since that Time received your Favour & find we are not to expect Schuyler for our Qr. Master. I feared it & am really sorry for it as it is a Matter of great Importance & we are now much at a Loss whom to propose. After much Hesitation we have at last turn'd our Eyes upon General Green as a Character in the Line, a Man of good Judgment apprized of the Wants & Difficulties of the Army & much intrested to releive them.

   We have proposed to him but he hesitates & I fear will refuse. After casting round I can think no one else preferable to Col. Cox!-you know his Activity, Address & great Knowledge of the Resources of the Country.(1) It will never answer to divide the Department with the Hope that inferiour Characters may do the Duty separate which they cannot perform united. Be not misled my dear Sir, to countenance any Plan of this kind; it will be better far better to put an inferiour Character into the whole Department & let all Hazards be run. We have been much puzzled to determine on this Subject & suppose what we have done will occasion much Speculation. However we declare ourselves or at least I may for my own Part that I am influenced by no other motives than such as interest every Friend to his Country. Least we should be supposed to conceal or keep back from Congress any Information or in short to have less Candor than we ought to have I thought it best with the Approbation of the other Gentlemen to let you know whom we have in View. You will make such Use of it as your Prudence & Skill may direct.

   We have nothing new. In the Haste of despatching an Express an Inclosure was omitted. I forwarded it to Mr Thompson immediately but least that should miscarry or be delayed I now inclose you a Duplicate which you will please to deliver him to be annexed to our Letter on the Subject of Provisions-If the other has not got to Hand.

   Our Troops sicken, die & desert fast. I very much fear we shall have an ineffective Army in the Spring.

   My Complts. to our Colleagues & beleive me Dear Sir, Your Affect. & Obed., Hbble serv. Jos. Reed