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four to five hundred Each which I have priced and can get them at
about 55/ and three pounds hard p hundred, but the people will not
sell one pound without the Cash being paid them on the delivery,
nor will they deliver it without, I am so unhappy on the present occa-
sion that I know not what way to Express it, the Troops will be in,
in an hour and no meat for them I have made a requisition on the
Village, to throw in a part of their household provisions, and set the
example myself by weighing out five hundred weight of Bacon and
dryed Beeff, have ordered four thousand weight of good Loaf Bread
Baked for the Troops against they come, some of my neighbours are
following the example of throwing in a part of their Household pro-
visions, but this will do but little Mr Williams is Just now returned
from making a requisition through the Eastern side of the County,
and informs me, he has little or no prospect of obtaining any worth
mentioning without the Hard Cash, Mr John Voorhees writes me a
letter Just now received a Copy is inclosed, from the whole it appears
that some hard money must be had or the Troops I fear will not be
supplyed (it is not to be had here) I have now made application to
the Commissioners and commissarys of the lower countys of this
shore, which if your Excellency and Honours think proper will please
to have forwarded to them, with what amendments you may think
necessary.
If hard money could be sent it appears to me there would be
no difficulty in procuring meat, Mr Baruch Williams who is present
now is of the same opinion, pray Excuse this Scrawl as I am inter-
rupted fifty times while I am writing, and obliged to speak to three
or four people at once,
P. S. 3 o'Clock P. M. the Marquis and Troops Just arrived,
if Hard money is sent would recomend that it comes to Mr Wil-
liams as He is the proper person to purchase
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March 3
Red Book
No. 30
Letter 112
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[Lafayette, Head of Elk, to Gov. Lee.]
I Have the Honor to inform your Excellency that the troops,
Artillery, and Stores destined to embark under my orders are Safely
arrived at this place and to my Great disappointment are now de-
tained for want of Vessels. This Affair is so important, Sir, and
My Last orders from His Excellency General Washington are so
positive, that I am afraid the Least delay may be attended with very
Bad Consequences.
Our detachment Being accompaynied By a Large Quantity of
Horses and Heavy Artillery, it will Require a Vast number of Ves-
sels, and from what I Hear at this place the totality of the Vessels at
Annapolis and Baltimore will Be Requisite for our Embarkation.
Another important Article is to collect every Armed Vessel that can
Be Had for the safety of our Navigation in the Bay. A sufficiency
of Boats to Land the detachment at once, and of dispatch Boats to
Carry intelligence are very essential.
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March 3
Brown Book
No. 7
Letter 70
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