414 HISTORY OF 



recruiting service from my division who, you will see by 

 the within instructions, are directed to wait on your ex- 

 cellency for recruiting orders. I wish they may meet 

 with that success that the exigence of the case 

 requires, hut I fear that nothing short of a draft will save 

 America ; however the effect of a total prohibition of the 

 substitute business ought first to be tried. I flatter 

 myself that when the people (who used to hire themselves 

 as substitutes) once find that no more hundred dollars 

 can be had in that way, that they will enlist in the line 

 of the continent. 



But I am confident that they never will whilst any 

 idea is held up of a family substitute, for it is only 

 hirhig a man to-day^ and he may be sent to-morrow as 

 substitute belonging to my family. 



Will 3'ou, and the honorable Council, use 3^our influence 

 with the House of Assembly to put this substitute busi- 

 ness totally cut of the question, for believe me that the 

 salvation of this State depends upon the exertions that 

 may be made during the winter towards filling the con- 

 tinental regiment. 



I wish you to orfer all such recruits as may be enhsted,, 

 to be completely uniformicd before they leave Lancaster. 

 I also wish that no more cloth be made up in coats unless 

 it be blue ; but that all the rest be made into over-alls 

 and vests, except such colors as will admit of being dyed 

 blue. The Virginians have received blue cloth sufficient 

 for to uniform the whole of their troops, so that I fear 

 we shall be eclipsed by all the other states, unless we 

 take some pains to give our soldiers an elegant uniform ; 

 for I do lay it down as a position that the best dressed 

 troops will ever be both the healthiest and bravest with 

 equal discipline and regimen. 



The Clothier general informed me when I was at Lau- 



