Governor Henry to John Hancock, President of Congress, 22 November 1776

From Wythepedia: The George Wythe Encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search

Letter text, November 22, 1776

GOV. HENRY TO JOHN HANCOCK, PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.
(From Journal of the Council)
Friday November 22th 1776

Col. Aylett92½ the Deputy Commissary of the Continental Army having represented to the Board the impracticability of supplying the Troops with rations as prescribed by Congress which if they could be procured would probably not give the satisfaction to the Troops here as might be expected from the Rations that have been usual and which it is supposed can be furnished as cheap as the others. It is therefore

ORDERED that the Governor be requested to write to our Delegates in Congress stating the substance of the above Representation, inclosing also an Account of the Rations allowed by the state and recommending the Adoption thereof for the Continental Troops serving in this Commonwealth.

[Gov. Henry wrote to Richard Henry Lee on November 22, as stated in Lee’s letter of Nov. 24-25, “I thank you for your favor of the 22d with its inclosures [sic] and will answer your letter by the next post, not being able to do it now with proper effect- I know we want Vessels both on Charter and to purchase in Virga & Maryland.- But more of this hereafter.”]

Foot Note

92½ William Aylett was appointed “deputy commissary general for supplying the troops of Virginia with rations” April 27, 1776. On the reorganization of the department of the commissary of purchases he was appointed on June 18, 1777, one of the four deputy commissary generals under Commissary General Joseph Trumbull. Aylett also acted as agent for carrying on the trade of the State and director of the State store until Dec. 3, 1777, when he resigned and was succeeded by Thomas Smith. He continued as commissary general until his death at Yorktown in 1781.

Before the war Col. Aylett had served for several sessions in the House of Burgesses as a member from King William. He was also a member of the convention that adopted the first constitution of Virginia. For published correspondence see Tyler’s Quarterly Magazine, Vol. I, p. 87 et seq.