Lt. Col. Richard Varick (Aide to Benedict Arnold, later Washington's Recording Secretary) to General Horatio Gates Albany, October 14, 1776 "... I shall endeavor to procure some dishes, and soup and other plates ... I think it will be more prudent, because it is less expensive, to purchase pewter dishes. Indeed, I have reason to apprehend that stone dishes or tea table dishes are hard to be got at this juncture." American Archives 5, Vol. 2, column 1037