Carleton to Congress (re: Thos. Hutchins' Equip. Request) July 16, 1781

War Office July 16, 1781
 
Sir,

The Board have the honor to ___ herewith, an Estimate of the cost of sundry articles wanted by the Geographer of the Southern Army. __ __ have to observe that this estimate has been considerably curtailed and the articles therein mentioned are deemed by Mr. Hutchins ___ necessary to ensure a faithful discharge of the duties of his position.
 
 I have the Honor to be with the highest respect Yr. Excellency's Most obt hble servant

Joseph Carleton
 
His Excellency

The President of Congress

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Gentlemen, 
Having received the special order of congress to repair with all possible diligence to the Southern Army, I am detained here from no other course than the want of a sufficient sum to clear my past expenses in this Town, and join General Greene's Headquarters. Four Hundred Dollars are already due me for pay and subsistence.

    The expenses of such a long journey for myself, one assistant, one servant, one waggon and seven horses are great, and I conceive that after the Payment of what I owe here, it would be ___ in me to undertake that march, without the advance of Two Thousand Silver Dollars.

    I ___ you will report my situation to Congress that they may enable me to execute the orders with wich they have honored me.
 
 I have the Honor to be with Respect, Gentlemen, Your most obedient and very humble Servant,

Tho. Hutchins

Geographer of the United States
 
Philadelphia 26th July 1781

The Honorable Commissioners of the Federal Treasury

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Estimate of the cost of articles wanted for the Geographer of the Southern Army--

Item	Rate	Total Cost (£, s, d)
1/4 of a Ream of Imperial Paper	at 40/ a ____	10_0_0
6 Papers of Inkpowder	at 45/ per Ream	6_15_0
3 Reams of Writing Paper	a 2/	0_12_0
2 Boxes of Wafers	at 2/6	0_5_0
12 Sticks of Sealing Wax	at 2/	1_4_0
6 Dozen of Lead Pencils	at 30/ per Dozen	9_0_0
100 best Dutch Quills	at 10/	0_10_0
1 Writing Stand Complete with Penknives and Pounce including Colours		6_0_0
4 Dozen Hair Pencils		1_4_0
3 Cases of Drawing Instruments	at 20/	12_0_0
3 Protractors	at 35/	5_5_0
3 Hadley's Quadrants	at £ 9	27_0_0
6 ___ Quick Silver, in Stone Juggs	at 40/ a ___	12_0_0
1 Very good Spy Glass		6_0_0
3 Calendars of the Sun's Declination	at 15/	2_5_0
1 Copying Glass & Case		2_0_0
3 Brass Compasses ___	1 of 18 and 2 of 12£	42_0_0
2 Parallel Rulers	at 15/	1_10_0
3 Gunters Chains	at £5	15_0_0
3 Jacob Staves	at 10/	1_10_0
2 Dozen Memorandum Books	at 1/6	1_10_0
		162_0_0
1 Perambulator & Case		1_16_0
1 Light Table & Stand		1_0_0
1 Very Large Tent		22_10_0
1 Waggon & Horses		170_0_0
1 Good Saddle Horse for myself		50_0_0
1 Ditto for a servant
2 Additional Rations
		£ 407_6_0