Gustavus Risberg to John Jay, 10 May 1779

Philad a . May 10 1779–€” 1

Sir

This morning I waited on the Honorable Governeur Morris Esq r . one of the Committee for our Department to know if the Alteration proposed by Col. Stewart, Commissary General of Issues had pass–€™d the Approbation of Congress, when I was inform–€™d they had been reported–€”but nothing further done–€” 2

As Col. Stewart is at Camp I beg leave to trouble you with these lines, and report, that for this four Months past I have with the greatest difficulty been able to prevail on the different Assistant Commissaries in my Department, not to resign in hopes that your Honorable Body would adopt such measures as would answer their Expectations and Services; Their Patience is now exhausted and Letters from every Quarter mention their leaving me, which I am sensible will be a great Injury ^ to ^ the Cause we are engaged in: And in Order the Service may not Suffer, I pray Sir, you will represent to the Honorable Congress the necessity of having the Department immediately arranged on Such a footing as will induce them to Continue.

I beg further leave to represent, that the Clerks employ–€™d in the late Deputy Commissary General–€™s Office have left us on Account of the Pay of Eighty Dollars, propos–€™d by Col. Stewart is deem–€™d very insufficient for their Support these times–€” I pray therefore to have Liberty to engage them on the best Terms I can, otherwise the Business required from me must inevitably Suffer–€” 3 I am with respect Sir Your most Obed t . Serv t .

Gustavus Risberg D.C.G. of Issue Dep t .

Honorable John Jay Esqu r . President of Congress–€”