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Correspondence of Governor Sharpe. 149
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of the Scheme they have projected to supply & carry out pro-
visions for the Troops that we may see what we have to expect
or depend on. Upon reconsidering the method I proposed for
the Carriage of the provisions & the Calculations that I
inclosed to you in my last, I think the Expence might be greatly
diminished by having some of the Meat dryed & the rest
packed in Casks containing only 100 lbs of Salted Meat which
will be portable on Horses which can carry 200 lb each beside
their provender, the Difficulty we should be under of getting
or hiring a sufficient number of waggons I think recommends
this method & the Consideration of the Accidents that Car-
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Letter Bk. II.
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riages are subject to, & that Horses can more easily avoid any
party of the Enemy that might happen to be sent to intercept
them than waggons which cannot divert from the beaten Track
tho they should receive Intelligence of the Enemy's Approach
still makes this method I think more Eligible, however I leave
that to the Commissaries whose Care it will be to calculate the
Expences of every Method & pursue that which appears most
frugal. The Salt you mention was sent from Rock Creek last
week & I suppose that as soon as proper Receptacles can be
prepared the Cattle that are to be slaughtered this winter
should be driven to the Camp & there killed & cured, how the
Skins & Tallow is to be disposed of you do not mention but I
doubt not you will give Instructions to the Commissaries as to
that matter. Tho the Country people should be prevailed on
to stall feed their Cattle this winter & engage to drive a con-
siderable number out to the Troops in the Summer as they
shall be wanted, yet I think enough Salt provision to serve the
Troops 5 or 6 months is the least that ought to be now laid in,
& the Troops after they leave Wills-Creek must never be with-
out enough to serve them at least 3 Weeks or a Month, the
Casks may be returned to the Magazine as they are emptied
& will serve to inclose such Meat as may be pickled in
Troughs there but the Consideration & management of that I
leave entirely to the Commissaries. I should be glad to have
your answer concerning what is to be done with respect to that
Johnson mentioned in my last & his Beeves, whether you will
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p. 43
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order them to be received of him or whether I shall have it
signified to him that He must seek out another market.
Cresap acquaints me that He has purchased 29138 lb of pork
& 13197 lb of Beef already cured & in Barrel at his house
more than will supply our Company for 12 Months, this &
64 Beeves still alive he ventured to purchase as I mentioned
before on a Supposition that there might be some Difficulty to
procure & lay up a sufficient Quantity for the Troops at this late
Season & imagining it would be very acceptable to whoever
should be appointed to act as Commissary to have such a
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p. 44
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