"We  had  flattered  ourselves,"  they  write  .to  the  Presi-
ident  of  Congress  on  the  12th  of  February,  "  that  before
this  time  the  pleasure  of  Congress  would  be  made  known
to  us  respecting  the  Quartermaster's  Department.  We
fear  our  letter  upon  this  subject  has  miscarried,  or  the
consideration  of  it  yielded  to  other  business.  You  will
therefore  pardon  us,  when  we  again  solicit  your  atten-
tion to  it  as  an  object  of  the  last  importance ;  on  which
not  only  the  future  success  of  your  arms,  but  the  pres-
ent existence  of  your  army  immediately  depends.  The
influence  of  this  office  is  so  diffusive  through  every  part  of
your  military  system,  that  neither  the  wisdom  of  arrange-
ment, the  spirit  of  enterprise,  or  favorable  opportunity
will  be  of  any  avail,  if  this  great  wheel  in  the  machine
stops  or  moves  heavily.  We  find  ourselves  embarrassed
in  entering  on  this  subject,  lest  a  bare  recital  of  facts
should  carry  an  imputation  (which  we  do  not  intend)  on
those  gentlemen  who  have  lately  conducted  it.     We  are

1  Journals  of  Congress,  Oct.  1,  1776.
44  LIFE   OF   NATHANAEL    GREENE.  [17T8.
