States that a Mr. Welles, a subaltern officer, asked about clothing and pay and he is waiting on a warrant to give him an answer. Shoes and shirts are needed and are being made, but again, he needs a warrant to get them delivered. Has heard through General Benjamin Tupper that Colonel Phelps is in favor of the insurgents, referring to the armed uprising of Shays' rebellion. Wants Tupper to sign a statement of facts. Believes a few months time will show the necessity of having the stores guarded. Though the rebels were dispersed in January 1787 and many arrested, Wadsworth worries of another attempt, tho the fire is covered over it is not out...but I am well informed their [sic] is some secret designing fellows who have yet hopes of effecting ye [illegible] of the State of Massachusetts - they say had they destroyed the stores at S-d [Springfield] Shepard [General William Shepard] would have fallen an easy prey.

States I do not wish to have anything to do with the Clothing of the Troops, but if you send me another warrant of one or two thousand dollars I can probably get the money & it will be when in my hands ready for your order - Also informs Knox that he will look into the issue of the powder, referring to a sale of damaged gunpowder from West Point (see GLC02437.03512 and .03513).

Received Knox's letters enclosing warrants for [dollar sign] 3000 (possibly GLC02437.03475) and encloses receipts (see GLC02437.03505). Mentions that the troops need clothing and that Colonel [David] Humphreys ordered some to be made. But if the troops are to be reduced, he will stop the clothing order. Fears that if the soldiers are discharged without pay, they may join the Shays' rebellion insurgents. Discusses other warrants and how the money would be allocated. Mentions that he wants to send Knox some salmon but that he has not been able to catch enough due to the weather. Free handwritten on address leaf with no signature.

Expresses his unhappiness over not yet receiving the warrants he needs to pay the balance for rations at Springfield, Massachusetts. These warrants were likely related to raising troops to quell Shays' Rebellion. Wadsworth writes, the troops may perhaps disband for want of food. Mentions more instances of insurgency in the state, including an incident in which Sergeant Hill and eleven recruits were beaten by some men that spoke favorably of Shays. They were sent to prison but all escaped except Sergeant Hill and two recruits. Free handwritten on address leaf with no signature.

Thanks Wadsworth for a salmon he sent. In reference to Wadsworth's request for clothing and shoes for the troops, tells him to acquire it and he will be paid out of the warrants he already received (see GLC02437.03509 for Wadsworth's letter). Reports that Colonel [David] Humphreys has arrived and can inform Wadsworth that Congress is considering the issue of the troops but nothing has been decided yet. Responds to Wadsworth's letter about the sale of damaged powder sold from West Point (see GLC02437.03512). States that Captain Price is in charge there. Knox trusts Price but he does not have authority to sell powder. Asks Wadsworth to look into this further and mentions that he saw an advertisement for the sale of damaged powder at the Brookland [Brooklyn] ferry which might be the powder in question.

Informs he has persuaded the board of treasury to give orders on Mr. Imlay for [Dollar sign]3000, which Knox encloses in another public letter of this same date. States that if Wadsworth could negotiate [Dollar sign]1000 more, he will try to get the board to give that sum solely to be applied to the subsistence of the officers and the pay of the men of Colonel [David] Humphreys corps. The money being paid to Wadsworth was related to raising troops that were used to quell Shays' Rebellion. Writes that Congress will probably discuss the troops soon, it is most likely they must be reduced however keep this entirely a secret. Marked private.

Headed by Knox as an Extract of a letter to Colonel Wadsworth. Writes, I have recruits in Pennsylvania and Jersey nearly ready to march... Asks how much dependence he can place on the Connecticut warrants as a resource.