292 Letters to the Governor and Council

June 14
Red Book
No. 30
Letter 84

I would not be understood to censure any particular person (far be
it from me) I verily believe that the want of knowledge, workmen
conveniences, and materials were the principle cause of those abuses
in the Leather, as that of coopers, good seasoned Staves, headings
(and hoops) as in the Casks and the want of Teams in the carriage,
and so in each case; as I have been so free in pointing out faults
there is no doubt but some general plan will be expected from me to
remedy them.
The plan I propose is that all the Wheat that lays adjacent to the
water be collected into Grainerys near to navigable Creeks and the
Rivers, and forward to the Head of the Bay, by craft as often as the
Enemys Cruisers will permit, and there deposited into good grain-
erys and Mills, that can always Manufacture it into any sort of
Flour, as occasion may require, and where the offall will be con-
venient for Forage or the feeding of Cattle, (should any be brought
up unfit for Slaughter) that at least three fourths of the Beef and
pork be taken in, in Specific Supply alive, and be driven at the Head
of the Bay on foot, and there slaughtered and cured, where every
necessary convenience and material may be had, where the provisions
will be convenient to where they are wanted, where the Hides may be
properly taken care of and made into good Leather for the use of the
Army, where the whole may be found at any time when call'd for,
and where reports may be always had of the quantity and quality
on hand, I acknowledge myself pretty well worn out in the service,
and am not fond of going into any new scene of Action, but if the
plan laid down can be adopted (or something Similar (and no other
person fiter for the task be proposed) I will undertake it; and to
convince your Excellency and Honours that I am no other way In-
terested in this Scheme, than an Individual (as one of the com-
munity at Large) I will do the Business of Eastern shore in the way
I have proposed (for the same Sallery) that the General Assembly
lately appointed to me, and will be accountable for the curing the
provisions Taning the hides into good Leather, and in short superin-
tend the whole, rather than do it in the loose way we are now going
on, providing I am enabled to procure casks, Salt, and every other
necessary in time, and that the cattle and Hoggs be sent me fat and
Corn or other grain or Forage, be provided to keep them so, while
slaughtering and provision made to pay all workmen, laybourers and
other necessary Expences, my own travelling expences Included, if
what I have here proposed is thought worthy of the notice of your
Excell^y & Honours, you are at Liberty to lay it before the General
Assembly, and rest assured that I have no other motive for making
this proposial, then that of doing business better, with less expence
to the State, and to have the provisions always convenient to where
they are wanted and ready when called for