Sir

You will perceive by the foregoing Extracts, that it is the direction of Congress, that the Army should be subsisted as far as possible on provisions to be drawn from such parts of the Country, as are within its vicinity and most exposed to the ravages and incursions of the Enemy. Also, that all stock and provisions which may be liable to fall into the Enemy’s hands and which would be serviceable to them except such a part as shall be absolutely necessary for the maintenance & support of the families to which they may belong, should be removed to places of security under the care of proper persons.

You are therefore, forthwith and upon All future occasions, to comply with their views as far as it may be in your power, and in a particular manner, you are to exert yourself to draw from the Counties of Bucks—Philadelphia & Chester every species of provision you possibly can. You will also extend your care to such parts of Jersey, as are near the City of Philadelphia, and in like manner to the Counties in the Delaware State, and to obtain from these several places All the supplies you can. Besides drawing provisions, you are to remove from such parts of All the before mentioned Counties as may be subject to the depredations of the Enemy, the Stock and Grain of every kind which would be serviceable to them, to places of security, under the restriction and exception above mentioned; keeping a just an[d] exact account of the number, quantity—quality and value, and of the persons to whom they belonged, in order that the Owners may be paid a reasonable and equitable compensation for the same. These duties are important and interesting, and it is expected will have your pointed attention, as a regular discharge of them will not only contribute to the more easy support of our own Troops, aid our Supplies from the more interior parts of the Country—but also will distress the Enemy, and prevent that injurious and pernicious intercourse too prevalent between them and a number of disaffected Inhabitants.