The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1910-12-06


There is no doub but
go that the war was pro-
longed for some time because Of the
lack of money. This circumstance
alone prevented the successful issue or
campaigns, turned victory into defeat,
caused murmuring and mutiny among
the soldiers. and depleted the ranks
Of the army. From the commence
ment of hostilities to the close OF the
war, Washington was SO handicapped
for want Of money and supplies for the
army that he was compelled to re-
main many times ON the defensive
when he should have been on the Of
tensive. Golden opportunities were
lost never to be regained. How he
managed to keep the army from dis
solution and himself in an attitude to
continue in the service under such
circumstances is almost beyond COM
prehension. With all the
Of the British government behind him,
large quantities Of specie for pur-
chasing supplies for his army. Gen
eral Howe became discouraged and
resigned his command.
In writing to the President OF Con
gress, in 1876, Washington says:
The remembrance of the difficulties,
which happened last year. and the
onsequenc which might have fol-
lowed the change If Drope advantages
had been taken by the enemy, added
to a knowledge of the present temper
and situation Of the troops, reflect but
4 very gloomy prospect in the appear
ance of things now and satisfy me be-
yond the possibility of q doubt that,
unless some speedy and effectual
measures are adopted by Congress,
our cause will be lost In Septem-
Der Of the same year he beseeches
Congress to provide some means for
supplying money for the military
chest as the very existence Of the army
depended upon this one particular.
There is not a year that passes in
which this is the subject of the most
earnest representations by Washing
ton to the Continental Congress. and
10 the States as well. In 1880 he
issued a circular letter to the States
north of Virginia, in which he says:
cit n be foreseen that this army
cannot possibly remain much longer
together unless very vigorous and i'm
mediate measures are taken by the
oIhIC ~ 4 1 Ilc IlS
made cpon them. The Commissary
General has neither the means nor the
power OF procuring supplies-he is
only TO receive them from the several
agents. Without a speedy change of
circumstances. this dilemma will be
involved; either the army must dis
band-or what is if possible worse,
substst pom the plumber OF the peo-
pie" Many OF the soldiers were bare
3OGtaH and whrN thar xyau 49,
the ground the army might be traced
by the bloody footprints of the men.
Thousands were without hats, tents or
blankets In 1878 the army very
nearly approached the point Of disso-
luton the second time, when Wash
tngton prevented this catastrophe
from taking place by the i~nterposi-
ton Of his consummate genius.
In 1880 a movement was naug,1-
rated among the soldiers to refuse alb
solutely to receive the bills Of credit
This scheme, had it been consum-
mated, would have been a severe blow
to the currency, but the plot was dis
covered by Washington. and conse-
quently was frustrated. Two wear,
later he sent out a circular letter IT
the States pleading with hem to coru-
piete their quotas on the requisiticne
as soon as possible. The urgency OF
the occasion was soon after made
manifest by a dangerous attempt
which was made to inc1te the soldiers
to revolt.
The chief cause of the failure O.
the Canadian expedition of 1776 wa:
the lack OF hard money to purchase
supplies for the army. The Canadian!
would not accept the American pap
money. and as a result it became e1.
remei difficult for the army 20 pro
cure the means of subsistence.
TOO much praise cannot be give,
washington for his part in achlevjns
the Independence of the United States
WAuam hooper. one Of the delegate