General Washington to the President of Congress (excerpt on lack of blankets and tents) New York, September 8, 1776 "At present we have not tents for more than two-thirds--many of them old and worn-out; but if we had a plentiful supply, the season will not admit of continuing in them long. The case of our sick is also worthy of much consideration. Their number, in the returns, forms at least one-fourth of the army. Policy and humanity require they should be made as comfortable as possible." American Archives 5, Vol. 2, column 237