228 CALENDAR OF THE GREENE CORRESPONDENCE, [April & 
PETTIT, CHARLES (Col.) (continued ): 
1779.—February 26. Philadelphia.—Mr. Mitchell’s difficulty with 
the Council about certain negotiations with Gen. Arnold. Mr. 
Mitchell’s efforts to extricate himself only seem to plunge him 
into deeper distress ; has begged him [ Pettit] to soften his case 
before the Council. Wrote a private letter to the President on 
the subject, setting forth his belief that Mr. Mitchell may have 
been indiscreet but never fraudulent; the President’s answer 
expressed a different opinion of his conduct. No hope, there- 
fore, in that direction. February 27.—Mr. Mitchell has just 
left after expressing concern that the Council should suspect 
him of want of candor and offering to make an explicit decla- 
ration of the facts. Has just written a letter to the President 
in which he conveyed this declaration to the Council. 
Vol. , No. 145 
1779.—May 5. Philadelphia.—Showing the various dispositions 
made of a million dollars suddenly received. Other clamorous 
calls for money. Business of detention of vessels in South Car- 
olina. Plans for the erection of stores at the Head of Elk. 
Suggests advisability of waiting before taking the Forage de- 
partment out of Mr. Hollingsworth’s hands. Monstrous prices 
paid by Mr. Ross for teams and his reported incapacity. Small 
money matters. Vol. vii, No. 34. 
1779-—May 7. Philadelphia.—Cannot obtain cash as fast as it is 
needed. Has applied to the Board for five millions more, but 
has received noanswer. Measures of Congress to restore credit 
of money so far ineffectual and likely never to succeed. Char- 
acter of Mr. Steel; his fitness for his position. Dined with 
His Excellency the Minister of France at Col. Cox’s. In 
consequence of Mr. Erskine’s letter has purchased a reflecting 
telescope, which will forward immediately. The department 
injured by conduct of certain officers in Lancaster and Dela- 
ware. Fears concerning Col. Patton’s character; for further 
information refers Gen. Greene to Gen. Smallwood’s chaplain, 
Mr. Montgomery. Vol. vii, No. 43. 
1779.—May 11. Philadelphia.—Col. Steel in town with his ac- 
counts; will examine them in a day or two; at a loss how to 
break to him Gen. Greene’s wish of dropping him; he is 
pressing for a sum of money to send to Fort Pitt. Will give 
