Sir: I have just received yours of the 13th.,54 which is in a great measure answered by one which I wrote to you on the 15th., But I cannot help taking notice of some expressions in your letters, which appear to me like an imputation of partiality in favour of this Army, to the disadvantage and inconvenience of the Northern. Can you suppose, if there had been an ample supply of Tents for the whole Army, that I would have hesitated one moment in complying with your demand. I told Major Troup exactly what I repeated in mine of the 15th. "That on account of our loss at Danbury there would be a scarcity of Tents; that our Army would be a moving one and that consequently nothing but tents could serve our turn, and that therefore, as there was the greatest probability of your being Stationary, you should
[Note:Gates had written (May 13) that he was told by Maj. Robert Troup that: "Your Excellency told him, You should want every Tent upon the Continent for the Armies to the Southward Refusing This Army, what you have not in your power to bestow, is one thing; but saying this Army has not the same Necessities, or does not require the same Comforts, as the Southern Armies, is another… the ruining the Enemy's Army or saving Our Own, may in great measure depend upon our being provided with Tents. The Congress, the Common parent of all The American Armies, will, I hope, be induced to Contrive some means to provide this Army with Tents; And I pray Your Excellency will Join with me, in my Application to them, for an immediate Supply." Gates's letter is in the Washington Papers . ]
The Northern Army is, and ever has been, as much the object of my Care and attention, as the one immediately under my command; and I cannot recollect, that I ever omitted complying with the requests, or supplying the wants of the Commander in that Department, when it lay in my power. As the Returns of Military Stores of all kinds come before me, and as the direction and distribution of them is intrusted to me, by Congress, I have endeavoured to apply them in such manner, as would render most effectual service to the public Cause, without suffering partiality for either Department to have the least influence upon me. I will make particular inquiry of the Quarter Master General, of what his prospect and expectations are, as to the Article of Tents, and if, as I said before, there appears a Sufficiency for the whole Army, you shall most willingly have your share. But if there is not, surely that Army, whose movement is uncertain, must give up its claim for the present, to that, which must inevitably take the Field the moment the Weather will admit, and must continue in it the whole campaign. I am etc.55
[Note:In the writing of Tench Tilghman. ]
[N.Y.H.S.]