In the mean time, the utmost endeavours were used to defer an evil so justly dreaded, and among the expedients employed, was that of withholding from the public agents, the money which was necessary for public purposes.

This unwise experiment, while it defeated its own object, threatened the dissolution of the American army.
The difference between the value of the article at the times of contract and of payment was soon perceived, and, of course, influenced its price.

But this was the least mischievous consequence of this mistaken policy.

The public agents contracted enormous debts which they were unable to discharge.

Repeated disappointments destroyed their credit; and, towards the close of the year 1779, they found it impracticable to obtain supplies for the subsistence of the army.
From these causes, the contracts entered into could not be co-extensive with the public wants; and many of those which were made were not complied with.
In this critical state of things, an entire revolution was made in the commissary department.