Sir

I received your letter dated the twenty sixth day of October¹ which I laid before council. they are pleased that the fleet have now a sufficient and regular supply of provisions which they had some reason to believe was not the case for some time past.

William Buchanan Esq^r: commissary General of purchases, has or will, fix the prices of beef, pork, and whiskey for the army; and will give directions to all the deputy commissaries not to exceed those prices. he requests that those who buy for this state may conform thereto, and this council desires you will attend to it as well as to such prices as may be agreed upon by the Quarter Master General for wheat or flour Letters have passed between those Gentlemen and council on this sub­ject and their opinion as to prices are nearly the same. The  following is what coun­cil think should not be exceeded viz^t. wheat 8/6 ⅌ bushell; Rye 8/6; Indian corn 6/6 Beef 10 dollars ⅌ hundred sinking what is called the fifth quarter, which will reduce it to eight dollars; pork seven dollars, whiskey 8/6 full proof, best first crop of hay £7.10—⅌ Ton, Second crop £6.— M^r. Buchanan is of opinion that 7/6  ⅌ Gallon is enough for whiskey and six dollars for pork, whether our reasons will in­ duce him to allow the prices we have fixt, I dont know, but it will at any rate be very soon determined.

It will be absolutely necessary to salt both beef and pork for the use of the navy, especially as there is salt at the salt works belonging to this state. M^r. Bordon will be a very Suitable person to have it put up, and to whom council will write on the sub­ject. Our Treasury is almost exhausted so that for the present it is out of my power to send you the whole sum you require. If a good opportunity offers in a day or two shall send you two or three thousand pounds, and a further sum as soon as the chest is replenished. council purposes to send a careful prudent person to the salt works,² to send forward to this state what salt is already made, to be distributed thro' the same; and therefore I hope and expect that M^r. Savage has a considerable quantity made, and will exert himself all in his power to serve the publick, who expect great matters from the large sum of money already expended. Your supplying him with three hundred pounds was well. I shall attend to your request for whiskey, and it is probable that some may be procured here, if it can, I will send you down a few hogsheads I am [&c.]