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PROCEEDINGS OF A

BOARD OF GENERAL OFFICERS

OF THE

BRITISH ARMY AT NEW YORK, 1781

New York 19th July, 1781

Major Drummond

to His Excelly Sir Henry Clinton

SIR:

From the small investigation I have as yet been able to make into the Accounts and Expenditures in one or two Departments of this Army, there appears to me no other certain method of diminishing the very heavy Expences attending on them but that of immediately taking the Vessels, Batteaux and small Craft with the Horses and Waggons out of the hands of Departments and place them in those of Government, by which means the immense charge incurred at present for the hire of Vessels, Waggons and Horse Train will be in a great measure saved, as in that case Government cannot suffer any other charge but simply those for the pay of Drivers, and the hire of proper persons for the management of the Vessels, with some necessary Contingent Expences to replace such Horses as may die or be rendered unfit for service, to repair Waggons, and to refit the Vessels, &c.

Government I apprehend from this mode will be eased of very considerable Expences. For not withstanding the present heavy charges incurred for the current Services of the various Departments, Government must still be considered as answerable for and at the risk of all losses under every head and of every kind.

I believe upon Calculation it will be found that all the Horses, Waggons, Vessels, &c which may be found necessary to be employed for the use of the Army under Your Excellency's Command, might be purchased considerably within one Year's hire of the present cost and Establishment.

I am extremely sensible that many objections will be thrown in the way to bar any proposal of this kind, setting forth the improbability that such a Scheme will ever answer should it be put into execution; I foresee that many obstacles may be framed to counteract such a design, but I have to assure Your Excellency, upon mature deliberation, that a plan might be

adopted in this respect, which I am persuaded would fully answer the purpose of reducing the present enormous charges; I may possibly be too sanguine, but I confess the feasibility of what I propose strikes me in the most sensible manner.

I should humbly propose that a Board of General Officers might assemble to enquire whether this proposal is practicable and should it appear to them that it would answer the end which I know Your Excellency has ever had so much at heart, that of diminishing the enormous expence of the Army, I should humbly propose that a Comptroller with two or three Officers of Rank should have the entire management of all those matters, under the stile or form of a Board of Works or whatever denomination may be thought most proper.

I have taken the liberty of submitting the above observations to your Excellency's perusal; the motives that have actuated me upon this occasion are solely the publick good, and in consequence of the very urgent orders that have been transmitted to me from the Right Honorable the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty's Treasury through Mr. Robinson their Secretary, which specify in so particular and forcible a manner, their confidence and trust that I would give Your Excellency every information in my power; and that I should follow all such Rules and directions as I might receive from Your Excellency from time to time; and that with the assistance of Your Excellency I should use every means in my power to curtail all improper charges to prevent unnecessary expences, and to see that the respective Services are carried on with due & proper Oeconomy.

I have the honor to be with the utmost respect
Your Excellency's most faithful & obedient Hble Serv

DUNN DRUMMOND.

SIR:

Head Quarters New York 7th Augt 1781.

I am directed by the Commander in Chief to lay before Your Excellency the enclosed paper and to request you will have the

goodness to let me know at what time and place the General Officers &c shall attend you.

I have the honor to be &c &c

Lieut. Gen' Robertson.

OL DE LANCEY

Adjt Gen1

His Excellency the Commander In Chief is pleased to direct that a Board, to be composed of the following General Officers &c &c or as many of them as can conveniently attend.

His Excellency Lieut. General Robertson President

Lieut. General Campbell

Major General Paterson

Brig Gen1 The Earl of Lincoln

Brig General Birch

The Honble Andrew Elliott and

The Honble Henry White Esq

on

rs

do assemble at and receive such information as Major Drummond Commissary of Accounts shall lay before them, touching the Expenditure of Publick Money in the different Departments, which the Commander in Chief found established in this Army, upon his succeeding to the Command of it. And His Excellency requests, that after the Board have duly Considered the same they will be pleased to report to him, in writing their opinion thereon.

Proceedings of a Board of General Officers Summoned by Order of His Excellency Sir Henry Clinton Commander in Chief &c &c

At New York 10th August 1781, Vizt:

Present His Excellency Lieut Gen1 James Robertson, President Lieutenant General Campbell

Major General Paterson

The Honble Andrew Elliot

The Honble Henry White

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His Excellency General Robertson having read Sir Henry Clinton's Letter of 7th August, 1781 and Major Drummond having laid before them sundry Papers, agreed on writing the following Letter or Report to His Excellency the Commander in Chief Vizt:

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