Sender: George Washington
Recipient: Mary Lee

Madam:

I am honored with your Letter of the 27th. of Septr. and cannot
forbear taking the earliest moment to express the high sense I
entertain of the patriotic exertions of the Ladies of Maryland in favor
of the Army.

In answer to your enquiry respecting the disposal of the
Gratuity, I must take the liberty to observe;
that it appears to me, the Money which has been,
or may be collected, cannot be expended in so eligible and beneficial a
manner, as in the purchase of [Shirts and Stocks (black)] for the use
of the troops in the Southern Army.

The polite offer you are pleased to make of your further assistance in the
execution of this liberal design, and the
generous disposition of the Ladies, insure me of its success, and
cannot fail to entitle both yourself and them, to the warmest gratitude
of those who are the objects of it.