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given the people I have had Forage pasture & ct of the strongest as-
surances that I would pay them as soon as possible, and as the Sheriff
is now on their backs for their Taxes which he will execute for (if
not paid) I must Intreat that a sum of not less then five hundred
pounds of the late Emission be sent me by the bearer John Hollings-
worth who waits on you for that purpose, (and if tis possible, at least
as much hard money, as it is impossible for me to go on without it.
You will observe by the Inclosed requisition that I am requested by
Colo Yeates to procure twelve Tons of Hay pr Day and short Forage
Equivalent for twelve or fourteen days, which will amount to three
hundred Bushels of Corn or Oats p day also which is not to be had
in this neighbourhood the whole being consumed by the Army on
their way down and by the ox Teams left here to recruit (untill the
return of the Army) the expence of which has amounted to about
thirty pounds p day, which is now Increased to near as much more,
Colo Dayton who commands the Jersey Bridgade and is now here
waiting for their arrival & assures me there is fifty odd Teams now
between this and Baltimore on their way up, which will want Forage
in two or three days — by your letter of the 30th August you request
me to have a sufficiency of Forage laid in at Elk, and were pleased
at same time to send me £250 Red money this sum (though accepta-
ble) was it all hard money, would not have defrayed the expenditors
of Forage at this Post for any one week since, nor at several par-
ticular times would it have sufficed for two days, the expence now
at this Post for Forage only on the best calculation I can make is not
less then fifty pounds p day with an Arrearage of about three thou-
sand pounds which by promise ought to be paid ere now, nor will a
single person let one Ton of Hay or a Bushell of corn go longer on
the credit of the State, tis my presence only that keeps this Post
alive, nor can I go down the State be the business ever so urgent
untill I am relieved. I must therefore Intreat that this letter be at-
tended to, and that such provision be made for me as to you in your
wisdom shall see just.
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November 9
Red Book
No. 30
Letter 47
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[Don'1 Yeates, D. Q. M. to Colo. H. Hollingsworth.]
As the Stores of our returning Army with the addition of those
taken with the late Captured army under Lord Cornwallis, being on
the return, some of which are already arrived at this place from
York river; and the whole expected in a few days, these are required
to be got a Cross to Christiana with the utmost dispatch, this busi-
ness will require the service of all the teams that can be collected from
the Country exclusive of the Ox teams that came on with the army
when they first moved down for twelve or fourteen days at least;
and from a calculation of the support of those teams and Oxen for
this time it will require twelve Tons of hay p day and short forage
35
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November 9
Red Book
No. 30
Letter 48
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