Autograph Draft Letter

Suffering for a Want of Flour

Wolcott discusses the measures taken to relieve the want of flour in General Wayne's Army, confusion over shipments.

1796

09

17

Treasury Department

Difficult to read.

James McHenry

Oliver Wolcott, Jr.

Nathan Jones

Isaac Craig

General Wayne

Anthony Wayne

army

Alexander Scott

purveyor

Ernest

Mr. Ellicot

Treasury Department

letter

transaction

want of flour

flour

barrels

contract

1796091740001

1

3

Tr. D. Septr. 17th.'96
Sir,
Mr. Nathan Jones has transmitted to me a Copy of Mr. Isaac Craig's Letter to your Department dated the 9th. instant. My understanding of the transaction which has occasioned so much difficulty [undecipherable] is as follows.
Representations were made from your Department & by General Wayne, that the Army was in great danger of suffering for want of flour. As no Contract could be immediately obtained, an a conditional agreement was made with Mr. Alex. Scott by the Purveyor, that [undecipherable] measures should be taken for the purchase of about one thousand Barrells to be forwarded without delay. [undecipherable] It was understood that if Mr. Scott obtained the new Contract, the flour so purchased & forwarded was to be recd. agreably to such terms as should be [undecipherable] [undecipherable]. Yet if Mr. Scott
did not obtain the new Contract, the public was to take the flour at the first Cost, & to accru a Comm. from purchasing the same. Seven thousand Dolls were advanced against to Mr. Scott on these conditions. Mr. Ernest, [undecipherable] [undecipherable] understood to be the [undecipherable] who made the purchases, & so has aff declared, that the flour in question was purchased under the agreement with the Purveyor. No more has been purchased than was necessary the representations of Genl Wayne [undecipherable] have been mistaken. At the time the agreement was made I am certain that the General[undecipherable] the [undecipherable] wants of the Army to be [undecipherable].
As matters are circumstanced, I am satisfied that no advantages can arise from Mr. Craig [undecipherable].
On the contrary, the loss, if any is [undecipherable], and will probably be in [undecipherable]. Mr Ellicot will I understand want some flour supplies, which may be advantagiusly furnished, from the quantity in dispute.
I am
The Secy of War