General George Washington to
Thomas Wharton, President, Supreme Executive Council of Pennsylvania
February 12, 1778

To Thomas WHARTON Jun^r. Esq^r. President of Penn^a.

Head Qu^rs: Valley Forge, 12^th Feb^ry 12, 1778.

Sir,

I have the honor of yours of the 7^th. instant, which is fully answered by mine of the 10^th.

When the Winter Quarters of the Army were arranged, it was agreed between Gen^l: ARMSTRONG and myself that the Militia of this State should cover the Country between the Schuylkill and Delaware, in order to prevent the incursions of small parties of the Enemy and to cut off the intercourse between the City and Country. The number of Militia, fixed upon for this purpose, were one thousand, which Gen^l: ARMSTRONG promised should be regularly kept up. Upon the appointment of Gen^l: LACEY, Gen^l: POTTER, who had been long from home, gave up the command to him. As I have not the pleasure of knowing Gen^l: LACEY I will not undertake to say whether the little that has been done since Gen^l: POTTER's departure has been owing to any want of activity in him, or whether he has not been furnished with the stipulated number of men; but this is a fact, that they have by some means or other dwindled away to nothing, and there are no guards within twenty Miles of the City, on the East Side of Schuylkill, but a few patroles [sic] of Light Horse, who being unsupported by Foot, dare not go near the Enemy's lines. Owing to this, the intercourse of all the Country between Schuylkill and Delaware, is as open and uninterrupted as ever it was, and must continue so, unless a sufficient number of Militia are immediately ordered out. The continental Troops, much worn down with the fatigues of the Campaign, building themselves houses and fortifying their Camp, are unable to do more duty than they now have to perform on this side of the River, especially as many of them cannot leave their Quarters for want of Cloathing [sic].

I hope, from this state of facts, that you will immediately order out, at least the number of Men stipulated by Gen^l: ARMSTRONG; and if possible, some hundreds more, for the purpose of forming the most advanced guards, as we find the Continental Troops (especially those who are not Natives) are very apt to desert from the pickets.

I have the honour [sic] to be &.

G. WASHINGTON.

P.S. Since writing the above, I have recd a Letter from General LACEY dated at Warwick in Bucks County, in which he informs me that his numbers are reduced to between 60 and 100.