ISO
been lost in the late rout. There are here, on their way south wardly, three thousand stand of arms, sent by Congress, and we have still a few in our magazine. I have written pressingly, as the subject well deserves, to Congress, to send immediate supplies, and to think of forming a magazine here, that in case of another disaster, we may not be left without all means of opposition. . I enclosed to your Excellency, some time ago, a resolution of the Assembly, instructing us to send a quantity of tobacco to New York for the relief of our officers there, and asking the favor of you to obtain permission. Having received no answer, I fear my letter or your answer has miscarried. I therefore take the liberty of repeating my application to you.
I have the honor to be, with the most profound respect, your Excellency s
most obedient, and
most humble servant,
TH: JEFFERSON.
LETTER XXI. TO GENERAL EDWARD STEVENS.
Richmond, September 12, 1780.
SIR,
. Your letters of August 27th and 30th, are now before me. The subsequent desertions of your militia, have taken away the neces sity of answering the question, How they shall be armed ? On the contrary, as there must now be a surplus of arms, I am in hopes you will endeavor to reserve them, as we have not here a sufficient number by fifteen hundred or two thousand, for the men who will march hence, if they march in numbers equal to our expectations. I have sent expresses into all the counties from which those mili tia went, requiring the county lieutenants to exert themselves in taking them ; and such is the detestation with which they have been received, that I have heard from many counties they were going back of themselves. You will, of course, hold courts mar tial on them, and make them soldiers for eight months. If you will be so good as to inform me, from time to time, how many you have, we may, perhaps, get the supernumerary officers in the State, to .take command of them. By the same opportunities, I desired notice to be given to the friends of the few remaining with you, that they had lost their clothes and blankets, and recommend ed, that they should avail themselves of any good opportunity, to send them supplies.
