Dr. Gibbs: Your Letter of the 27th Ulto. is now before me.

    Mr. Harrison¹³ having lost, or mislaid your Letter from Newtown, I have no Acct. of what you did, or meant to do, respecting our Baggage; which I wish was arrived, such parts I mean, as intended to follow the Camp. neither have I heard anything of Captn. Lewis¹⁴ (or his Troop) whom I desired might come on to this place.

[Note:Lieut. Col. Robert Hanson Harrison. ]

[Note:Capt. George Lewis. (See note to Washington's letter to Col. Alexander Spotswood, Apr. 30, I777, ante .) ]

    I must desire you to urge Colo. Reed¹⁵ upon the score of the Papers in the Adjutant Generals Office and if they can be got to Phila. before you leave it, see them safely deposited with me. I would rather you should see the packing and securing my Papers than trust the matter to Mr. Hancock,¹⁶ whose business will not admit him to give any personal attention to this Service, and I would not wish that any person else, out of my own Family, should have any concern with It. bring the Key of the Chest that contains them with you, having it made with Hinges, &c., in the manner you recommend.

[Note:Col. Joseph Reed. He had resigned as Adjutant General of the Continental Army Jan. 22, 1777. ]

[Note:President John Hancock. ]

    I will take 200 Dollars for my Black, but first try if you cannot get two tolerable good Mares for him (at all events young and sound) or, one with boot. and, if possible, contrive them to my House to the care of Mr. Lund Washington, to whom write a Line on the Subject. I do not mean that a Person should be dispatched on purpose with them, they may remain with Mr. Hilsimer¹⁷ till an opportunity presents itself.

[Note:Jacob Hiltzheimer, who managed the Continental stable in Philadelphia. In 1778 he was Continental agent for the purchase of wagons. ]

    The Cloaths mentioned in my last, for my Servants, I would have you get from the Clothier Genl. The Cloth for the Coats should be thin and light; if to be had, any kind of bath Coating will do. if you could, at the same place, get any kind of course thread Hose for Will, he, as well as myself, would thank you for two or three pair. I mean for him.

    Give my Complimts. to Genl. Scott,¹⁸ if in Phila., and tell him that I shd. be glad if he would proceed on to hd. Quarters. add that I hope the useless punctilios, which have but too much Influence on Officers, to the great detriment of the Service, and which serves to distress me (as I can never compleat any arrangement) will have no effect upon him.

[Note:Brig. Gert. Charles Scott. ]

    Mrs. Washington joins me in good wishes to you, and begs that you will enquire what she has to pay at Mr. Randolph's (in Chestnut Street) for the Night or two she was there in her way up, and pay it. the Sooner you can join us (if your health will permit, the better). I am, etc.

    P.S. Endeavour to get two or three pounds of the best Sealing Wax you can.¹⁹

[Note:The original is in the possession of Judge E. A. Armstrong, Princeton, N.J. ]