July 26, 1776.
Gentlemen:
I am obliged to trouble you, to remove a difficulty which arises
respecting the quantity of subsistence which is to be allowed my men.
Inclosed you have the rates of rations, which is the standard allowance
of the whole continental, and even the provincial, army; but it seems
Mr. Curtenius cannot afford to supply us with more than his contract
stipulates; which, by comparison, you will perceive is considerably
less than the forementioned rate.
My men, you are sensible, are, by their articles, entitled to the same
subsistence with the continental troops: and it would be to them an
insupportable discrimination, as well as a breach of the terms of their
enlistment, to give them almost a third less provisions than the whole
army besides receives. I doubt not you will readily put this matter
upon a proper footing.
Hitherto we have drawn our full allowance from Mr. Curtenius; but he
did it upon the supposition that he would have a farther consideration
for the extraordinary supply.
At present, however, he scruples to proceed in the same way, till it
can be put upon a more certain foundation. I am, gentlemen,
With the utmost esteem and respect,
Your most ob’t and most humble serv’t,
A. Hamilton,
Captain of New-York Artillery.