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ports were to sail from Gravesend to Ireland the first of
November, to bring over two Regiments; & that Mr Shirley &
Sr Wm Pepperell were to raise two Regiments in New England
the officers all nominated for these Regiments, which I presume
is to make 'a Diversion against the French to the Northward.
The Forces from Ireland may be expected here the End of this
Month, or early in Feby
The providing Provisions is what I have greatly in my
Thoughts. I have sent the Comissaries to the Camp with
Money to purchase Flour & Pork in the frontier Counties; &
I am endeavouring to purchase a Quantity of Pork here to be
sent to the Camp. I have found here two Mortars & forty
shells fit for Service, with the two pair of Wheels you desired
to be made. I desire your Advice whether to order them to
Fredericksburg, Alexandria, or to Rock Creek; if to the last
Place, pray write me the Person's Name I am to recomended
them to be forwarded by, and if you think that the best Con-
veyance. I must send the barrel'd Pork to that Place. I shall
earnestly endeavour to provide a large Quantity. I have had
pretty good Success in recruiting, I believe our Forces from
this Government are now about 500, & hope by the Middle of
next Month to make them at least 800, the Charges of recruit-
ing run very high. Pray have you ordered the Purchase of
Twenty Waggons & Horses? let me know if I shall send you
Bills of Excha to pay for them. You desired the Guns from
Cap' Arburthnott to be charged to you, & the Hhd of Rum,
they are sent up to Alexandria & enclosed you have the
Account thereof, if you desire me to pay it, it shall be done.
As you wrote me you intended to order the Forces at Alexaa
to march to the Camp, I have sent Money to pay them to the
last of Decr & have desired them to march imediately if they
have your orders so to do, it's a Pity they have been so long
idle as they might have been serviceable at the Camp. There
are 200 at Fredericksburg, which have ordered to Winchester
to join those from Alexandria & there will be Provisions for
them there. And I ordered the Comissaries to endeavour to
purchase four Waggons, if possible to reduce the monstrous
hire of Waggons, in which Article we have been greatly impos'd
on, by an extravegant Charge. Pray write me when you intend
for the Camp. I have been endeavouring to procure Carpenters
& Coopers, but as yet have had no Success. I I sent to Fred-
ericksburg two Smiths with Bellows, Anvil & Tools, with orders
to proceed directly for Wills's Creek — As I expect a Supply
of ordnance Stores, I suspend purchasing any for the present.
Let me know what is imediately wanted that I can purchase
here.
The Assembly of No Carolina is now sitting, but what they
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