I have received from the Committee of Congress, at headquarters, three letters calling for aids of men and provisions.  I beg leave to refer you to my letter to them, of this date, on those subjects.  I thought it necessary, however, to suggest to you the preparing an arrangement of officers for the men; for, though they are to supply our battalions, yet, as our whole line officers, almost, are in captivity, I suppose some temporary provision must be made.  We cheerfully transfer to you every power which the Executive might exercise on this occasion.  As it is possible you may cast your eye on the unemployed officers now within the State, I write to General Muhlenburg, to send you a return of them.  I think the men will be rendezvoused within the present month.  The bill, indeed, for raising them is not actually passed, but it is in its last stage, and no opposition to any essential parts of it.  I will take care to notify you of its passage.

I have, with great pain, perceived your situation; and, the more so, as being situated between two fires, a division of sentiment has arisen, both in Congress and here, as to which the resources of this country should be sent.  The removal of General Clinton to the northward, must, of course, have great influence on the determination of this question; and I have no doubt but considerable aids may be drawn hence for your army, unless a larger one should be embodied in the South, than the force of the enemy there seems to call for.  I have the honor to be, with every sentiment of respect and esteem,

your Excellency’s

most obedient, humble servant,

Th:  Jefferson.

[See Appendix, Note D.]

LETTER XVIII.—­TO GENERAL EDWARD STEVENS, August 4, 1780

TO GENERAL EDWARD STEVENS.

Richmond, August 4, 1780.

Sir,

Your several favors of July the 16th, 21st, and 22nd, are now before me.  Our smiths are engaged in making five hundred axes and some tomahawks for General Gates.  About one hundred of these will go by the wagons now taking in their loads.  As these are for the army in general, no doubt but you will participate of them.  A chest of medicine was made up for you in Williamsburg, and by a strange kind of forgetfulness, the vessel ordered to bring that, left it and brought the rest of the shop.  It is sent for again, and I am not without hopes will be here in time to go by the present wagons.  They will carry some ammunition and the axes, and will make up their load with spirits.  Tents, I fear, cannot be got in this country; we have, however, sent out powers to all the trading towns here, to take it wherever they can find it.  I write to General Gates, to try whether the duck in North Carolina cannot be procured by the Executive of that State on Continental account; for, surely, the whole army, as well our militia as the rest, is Continental.  The arms you have to spare may be