To George Washington from Jedediah Huntington, 24 May 1782

A Day or two after I wrote your Excellency the 14th of last Month, the mustering Officers came into the State and have been very industrious in their Business; I find myself disappointed in the Number of Recruits, which I expected would be ready in this Month—every possible Evasion is practiced by those who have to furnish them—it is now proposed in Assembly to issue Execution against the delinquent Classes for all the Men not raised & mustered by the 10th June—this may stimulate some—but the civil Arm is known to be feeble & therefore very little dreaded.

A Committee of Assembly have reported on the Mode of puting a Body of Militia in Readiness—that 27 Companies of a Captain & 68 Privates each be detached to join the Continental Battalions—the House will take it into Consideration the Beginning of next Week—I inform’d the Committee that it would be most for the Good of Service to have Soldiers without Officers—but as it was thought the People would take Umbrage at so large a Draft of Men without Officers—I ventured to tell them that if it was necessary to draft one Officer with a Company, he might be incorporated also, rather than to have the Militia in the ordinary way.

The Assembly have not yet agreed upon what further Aid they will afford the Financier General.

The 50 Cent Impost is passed the lower House To continue 20 years after the War—the upper House intend it shall be without limitation except what Congress prescribe—the lower House too have provided that it shall not be appropriated to the Payment of Pensions—I am, with the greatest Respect, Your Excellencys most obedient Servant