The inclosed papers, consistg of Copy of a Letter from Mr Morris Copy of the Contract made between the Superindends of Finance & M Duer for Supply of the Posts Northward of Poughkeepsie—Extract of Letter from Majr Genl Heath respectg magazines of Salted provisions to be laid in for Supply of sd posts, where necessary—& Letters from Mr Duer on the Subject—I have just received from the Financier, with a Request which you will find contained in his Letter.

Your knowlege of those posts which are included within the Description of this Contract, is so perfect, & their relative Situation & Necessary provisions so intimately known to you—that I take the Liberty to submit these papers to your Consideration—& to request that you will be pleased to make the necessary Determination respectg the Quantities of salted provisions which shall be kept at any of the several posts, & the periods to which they shall Extend—and also to agree with the Contractors & fix upon such Compensation as shall be tho’t reasonable for the Services which he shall render, in Consequence of your Determination, over and above the Terms of his Contract.

If this Business should prove too troublesome for you to undertake—will you be pleased to fix upon & Authorize some suitable person for the purpose, and your Determination & agreement in either Case, transmitted to me, will be conclusive & bindg on the Financier.

I am very sorry to give you this Trouble—but the full persuasion I have of your ardent Zeal in & readiness to serve the common Cause, I hope will apologize for the Liberty I take. I am &a.