From George Washington to Timothy Pickering, 8 October 1783

When I last wrote you on the subject of providing for the Garrison of West Point I mentioned 500 Men as the number which Congress would probably think proper to keep in that Garrison during the Winter—I have been long waiting their determination on this subject but so far from coming to any such decision, the Members with whom I have conversed seem unwilling to lessen the force now existing until the British shall finally evacuate the Country—this being the case and the season being now so far advanced it would be imprudent to delay any necessary preparations, I am therefore to desire that the provision for the Winter may extend to the number of twenty five hundred or three thousand Men or at least that it may be in train. I am Dr Sir Your Most Obedient humble Servant