From George Washington to the Board of Treasury, 14 May 1780
To the Board of Treasury
Morris-Town May 14th 1780.
Gentn
Sometime last spring, or early in the Summer, Congress were pleased to authorise me to draw upon the Board of Treasury for a sum in specie not exceeding two thousand Guineas.1
As it was not my wish to call for more than the exigencies of the particular Service (for which it was intended) required; & as I happened at that time to have part of a former sum by me, I asked for 500 Gs. only2 with that sum I have made a shift til this time but now have a call for the further Sum of 5003 Gs.—if it can be furnished the bearer Mr Geo: Washington4 will receive & bring it to5—Gentn Yr.
ADf, DLC:GW; Varick transcript, DLC:GW.
1. On 4 May 1779, John Jay, then president of Congress, informed GW that he was authorized to draw up to 2,000 guineas on the treasurer for “secret Service”; see also , 14:526.
3. GW wrote “£” before “500” and did not line it out.
4. GW’s nephew George Augustine Washington recently had been appointed to serve as a member of GW’s personal guard.
5. Charles Lee, secretary of the Board of Treasury, replied to GW from Philadelphia on 19 May: “The Board have been honored with your Excellency’s letter of the 14th instant desiring a supply of five hundred guineas by Mr George [Augustine] Washington—It is unhappily out of their power to send so large a sum—He has committed to his care one hundred and sixty seven pounds, five shillings which is all at thier command at this moment—Immediate and particular exertions will be made to comply fully with your request—In the mean time they hope the sum sent with Mr Washington will supply your necessities” (ALS, DLC:GW).