The gunsmiths of Philadelphia, who had been
expected speedily to equip his army, were not
able to supply a satisfactory portion of the
arms required, so that Washington was re-
duced to sending agents through the neigh-
boring towns to buy guns. Their success was
small. He tried also to buy the muskets of
those men who, on the expiration of their
term of service, went home. Here again the

1 Ibid.
324 The Siege of Boston

result was poor, for the men, mindful of the
possibility of militia service, were very un-
willing to part with their arms.
Yet the men had an ineradicable propensity
to dicker among themselves. Arms and equip-
ment changed hands in true Yankee fashion ;
even clothing was traded in, and the camp,
when the men were off duty, must at times
have been as busy as a market. Nothing
better shows this than the diary of David
How, whose brief entries prove him to be a
true New Englander. Months later than
Washington's first attempts to buy arms
from the men, we find entries as follows.
"13 (January, 1776) I Bought a gun &
Bayonet & Cateridge Box of Joseph Jackson
and gave 42/6 Lawfull Money for the Whole.
I have been Makeing Cateridges this Day. . ..
"20 I Bought a frock & Trouses of Parley
Macingtyre and give 6 / Law.
"22 Peter Gage Staid Hear Last Night and
I bought 3 Pare of Shoes of him @ 5 / 6 per
pare

" 23 I sold a pare of Shoes for 6/8.
Washington takes Command 325

" 26 I Sold my Cateridge box For 4/6 Law-
full Money.
