From George Washington to Marinus Willett, 18 December 1782

Your letter of the 29th Ulto from Albany, came safe to my hands. I am glad to find you enter so readily into a measure which appears very practicable in my eyes, provided the Troops for the Enterprise can be properly accomodated.

I have again written to the Secretary at War respecting Clothing for the York State Troops, and desired Colo. Tilghman, who left this on Sunday last for Philadelphia to enforce it, not only on him, but on the Clothier General also; that, if it can be had, it may be sent up without delay. From the Deputy Clothiers Store at this place, I could furnish Vests and Woolen hose enough for the State Troops—and Woolen Caps, Socks, and Mitts sufficient for the whole party.

Indian Shoes, or Moccasons, I must depend upon you to procure—as also the Snow Shoes, of which I do not see the necessity for each Mans having a pair tho’ some may be indispensably necessary—I well remember to have directed (two years ago) a number of Snow Shoes to be made; and if I mistake not it was done[;] but I do not suppose any dependence is to be had on them at this time. It may not be amiss however to enquire of General Schuyler (to whom I think I wrote on the Subject) the Qr Master—or any other who may be likely to give information, whether they are are yet in being.

To provide & carry Scaling Ladders from the Settlement would at once announce your design, & more than probably defeat the Enterprise—at any rate they would be troublesome to transport, & must impede the rapidity of your movements, on which every thing depends. it appears to me therefore that the attempt would be improper, and that the difficulty may be surmounted by carrying a few Tools (to wit Axes, Saws, Augers & a Gouge) with which, at a convenient time and place, a sufficient number of Ladders might [soon & easily be made.]

The mode you p[ropose for obtain]ing the Sleighs, & Assembling [the Troops, I] approve of preferably [to the Qr Masters] having any Agency in the [business as] I do of the time named for th[e execution if the] Clothing can be got to you [in Season, but] having doubts on this hea[d I should be glad] to know to how late a perio[d the Expedition] can be delayed with safety, on Acct of the Ice on the Oneida Lake—& goodness of the Sleighing.

If there is a necessity for a Party to preceed the Sleighs a day or two, to mark the Rout, it ought to consist of picked men of tried fidility; & even then, the chance of discovery is greater than it otherwise wd be.

The strength of your Party should be proportioned to that of the Garrison you attempt, for which reason every possible means should be used to obtain the most accurate acct of it—If you have men to set the enemy at defiance, in case of their discovering you previous to the Assault—or Miscarriage therein, it is all that is necessary—more than these would render [your movements unwieldy] & slow—conse[quently mor]e liable to discovery in your [preparatio]n and on the March.

[I s]hould be glad to hear from you [again on th]is head by some safe conveyance; [and if matte]rs can be properly prepared for [the Enterpri]se, & nothing more than I know [of at this ti]me to hinder it, I will be at Alb[any when you] March, that I may be at hand to remove difficulties if any should occur. with great esteem and regard I am Dr Sir Yr Most Obedt Servt