Letter George Washington to Carpenter Wharton, December 20, 1776
The Writings of George Washington from the Original Manuscript Sources, 1745-1799. John C. Fitzpatrick, Editor.--vol. 06
Sir: It being represented to me that the Millers, either from an unwillingness to part with their Flour, or the difficulty of obtaining Wheat from the Farmers, do not Imploy their Mills, by which means the Army under my Command is like to suffer for want of Bread. I do hereby Authorize and Instruct you to enquire into the State of this matter; with full powers if it should be found that the default is in the Miller, to Sieze the Mill and grain, and Imploy it for the use of the Public; and if it arises from any defect in the Farmer, to take his Grain for the Public Service, in either case paying the full Value of such Flour, or Wheat at the Mill where it is Manufactured.
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/mgw:@field(DOCID+@lit(gw060311))