Horatio Gates to John Jay, 29 January 1779
Boston January 29 th : 1779
Sir,
Since I had the Honour to write to Your Excellency upon the Instant, 1 I have received the inclosed intelligence from General Bayley, and Colonel Bedel, Copies of which are also transmitted to General Washington. 2 I am confident the Enemy–s Magazines of Provisions are exhausting very fast. Admiral Gambier, sent from New-York, to New London, in Three Vessels with Flags of Truce, 367 Prisoners; Admiral Byron sent 144 to General Sullivan from Rhode Island; Admiral Hughes, in a Cartel Ship just arrived at this port from Hallifax, sent 115; in all 626 Prisoners. 3 For these, no other return have been made, than about one half the Crew of the Somerset Ship of War, the rest having enlisted in The Privateers of this, and the Neigbouring States.
General Heath acquaints me He has long ago made Application to Congress, respecting Ensign John Brown, under Sentence of Death, in the Jail of this City. 4 I wish to receive their Commands in regard to this unhappy Convict.– I can say nothing as to the Merit or Demerit of the Man, as he was tried and Condemned, long before my Arrival here.– General Heath likewise informs me, that Ten Thousand Dollars in Hard Money have been paid into his Hands by The Paymaster of the Convention Troops, for the disposal of which he is desirous to receive Orders.–
I must again entreat the Honourable Congress to take the immediate Supply of Flower for the Magazines in this Department, into their most serious consideration.– The Inhabitants of this City, and the Surrounding Districts, are in great Want of it, insomuch that I have lately had a very Earnest application to lend Flower out of The Continental Magazine, to Supply the pressing wants of the poor; but if I had thought myself authorized to Comply with this request, the Magazine here was in too low a State to admit of it; I was therefore reluctantly Obliged to decline Granting the request of a Committee deputed to me in a Town Meeting which was called for that purpose.– If the Time between this, and the First of May, is not made the best use of to fill the Magazines in the Eastern Department with Flower, the Consequences may be fatal to our Cause.– I am, Sir, Your Excellency–s Most Obed t Serv t :
Horatio Gates
His Excell y John Jay Esq r .