This subject was taken up early by the committee, and proper representations made respecting it.

But congress still remained under the influence of those opinions which had already produced such mischievous effects, and were still disposed to retain the subordinate officers of the department in a state of immediate dependence on their own body.

In this temper, they proposed a plan which, not being approved in camp, was never carried into execution.
While congress was deliberating on the reforms proposed, the distresses of the army approached their acme, and its dissolution was threatened.

Early in February, the commissaries gave notice that the country, to a great distance, was actually exhausted; and that it would be impracticable to obtain supplies for the army longer than to the end of that month.

Already the threatened scarcity began to be felt, and the rations issued were often bad in quality, and insufficient in quantity.