American Revolution
Revolutionary War Payment for the Transcribing of a “Resolve of the Continental Congress of December 13, 1782”
HUGH HUGHES. Quartermaster General in the Continental Army of the United States who served in that capacity throughout the entire Revolutionary War, earning the esteem of officers and General George Washington. He owned valuable property in Philadelphia, and using all of his wealth to promote the American cause died poor and brokenhearted that he was never properly reimbursed by Congress.
December 28, 1782-Dated Revolutionary War Period, Autograph Letter Signed, “Hugh Hughes,” with Two Additional Autograph Postscripts, 3 pages, measuring 9” x 7” at Fishkill (New York), Choice Very Fine+. This original Handwritten Letter is concerning payment to persons who have supplied the Quartermaster’s Department, transcribing a Resolve of the Continental Congress of December 13th, 1782. Beautifully written in rich brown upon very clean period watermarked laid paper. This historic circular letter reads, in full:

“Fishkill - Dec. 28th. 1782 --- Sir, --- In answer to my letter to the Quarter Master General of the 2nd Current, an Extract of which has been sent you, describing the Situation of his Department in this State, and soliciting him for a supply of Cash to pay the Persons who have served with me, & the debts that have been contracted on other Accounts, since the 1st of January 1782, he has replied as follows:

‘Philadelphia Dec. 13th 1782 -- As money has been furnished to defray a great proportion of the public expenses in the department in the course of the present Year in other States, so I presume the same justice will be done to the like Creditors in your district: but it will be in vain to ask for an indefinite Sum. I should therefore advise that you take immediate measures to ascertain the amount of the debts contracted by you & your Assistants since the first of January 1782 stating the debts due to each individual, & for what, generally. Another list of the Persons employed, & the pay due them will be requisite, tho’ in the mean Time perhaps something may be obtained to pay them on Account.’

You will therefore immediately comply with this mode of the Quarter Master General, in the most accurate manner possible, & transmit the list of Debts & pay roll to me when complete, that I may forward the whole to him, lest a Delay might be attended with Disappointment. -- I am sir Your most Obedient (Signed) - Hugh Hughes DM for the State of NY”

Hughes has also added two postscripts:

“P.S. - This is the 3rd Letter I have wrote without receiving any Answer. I must entreat your Attention to the foregoing as it is exceedingly interesting to all concern’d...” plus:

“NB. - I am told there has lately been committed to Albany Jail a Person who has habour’d some Fellows from Canada that have perpetrated some Robberies on Livingston’s Manor. If that is the Case, I wish to be ascertained of it, as perhaps some Intelligence may be obtain’d of my Loss... (Initialed) - HH”

See - The National Archives and the Library of Congress: Hughes, Hugh. Memorial and Documents in the Case of Colonel Hugh Hughes, Deputy Quartermaster General in the War for American Independence. Washington, 1802.
Hugh Hughes was serving as the Deputy Quartermaster for the State of New York while based at Fish Kill, New York in 1782.