Wmsburgh Apl. 5th 1778 your Letter from Belleview came to hand my dear Sir by the last post, & I assure you I wish - all your Letters may be as long. As usual I am in great Hurry & seize a moment by this Messenger to tell you that the Necessity of adopting rigorous measures in the Comissariate induced [inserted: me] to appoint Hawkins, over whom I exerted all my personal Influence & with great Difficulty got him to undertake the Business. He has given one half his Salary which appears at first view large To an able Hand Rd. Morris who is a [struck: very good] fine accountant & man of Fortune. I am really shocked at the Managem.t of Congress in this Department. John Moore's Appointmt: gave me the [inserted: most] painfull feelings. Good God! Our Fate committed to a man wholly unable to [inserted: perform] the Task assigned him! Raw inexperienced, without Weight Consequence or Acquaintance with men or Business: called into Action at a Time when distinguished talents only can Save the Army from perishing. I tell you, & I grieve at it Congress will loose the Respect Due - but I forbear. 'Tis my Business to exert all my powers for the comon Good. I must not be depended on for any thing in that Line if Hawkins is rejected by Congress. If he is continued pray supply him with plenty [2] of money. He is really superior to any one in that Way, & of established Credit to any Amount. I've advanced much Money & published repeated orders [struck: illegible] [inserted: for] the March of the new [Levy's] & on rect. of yours have addressed the continental Officers on the subject; But there's great Langor among them. I've sought for good Hands to set out on the recruiting Business you mention & will make an Effort, & by the success of that shall judge if any thing can be done. Gilmour I think ought to be dealt with but the power of the Executive will not reach so far as the seizing papers. 'Tis indeed too much cramped: However will think further on the subject__ I am really so harrassed by the great Load of Continental Business thrown on me lately that I am ready to sink under my Burden, & have thoughts of taking that Rest that will I doubt soon become necessary. For my strength will not suffice.___ You are again [illegible] by a certain set who have drawn in others - who say that you are engaged in a Scheme to discard Gl Washington. I know you too well to suppose you attempt any thing not evidently calculated to serve the Cause of Whiggism. To dismiss the Genl. would not [illegible]: &c. But it is yr. Fate to suffer the constant Attacks of disguised Torys who take this Measure to lessen you. Farewell my dear Friend. In praying for yr. Welfare, I pray for that of my country to which yr. life & service are of the last moment. I am in great Haste Yr. affec P. Henry [docket] P. Henry