From Thomas Jefferson to John Browne, 1 January 1781
To John Browne
In Council January 1st 1781
Sir
The inclosed Letter will inform you what measures have been taken for procuring a proper Stock of Flower for the ensuing Year. It contains a List of the Counties on which we called for Flower and the Quantity from each County. You will be pleased to take measures for raising it [for] use to fifteen thousand Barrels by calling on the Commissioners of such other Counties as you think proper or any other more eligible Means. Mr. Benjamin Harrison lent some bread and Flower to the State. Be pleased to inform of the Quantity and repay it immediately. I am &c,
T.J.
FC (Vi). The enclosed letter has not been identified.
John Browne (this is the form of his name he invariably used in signing letters, though other records indiscriminately give “Brown” and “Browne”) was appointed a commissary of purchases and issues for Virginia 29 Oct. 1778 (Va. Council Jour., ii, 206; , ii, 537); on 3 Jan. 1781 he was appointed commissioner under the Act for procuring a supply of provisions and other necessaries for the use of the army (same, p. 270); thereafter he is sometimes referred to as state commissary general.