I should be glad to be informed by you, what quantity of Provisions, has within a few days arrived from the Eastward, & particularly of salted Meat from Connecticut, & what your immediate prospects are.

I have written to the President of New Hampshire, urging that State to an immediate & regular compliance with the requisitions of Congress especially in the Article of Beef Cattle,1—I have also written to Mr Phelps the Agent of Massachusetts on the same subject, directing that the number of Cattle be constantly furnished, which is pointed out by the Commissary at the Army.2 It now remains with Your Department to make such arrangements with the Agents, Contractors, Or Purchasers of the several Eastern States as will insure a regular supply to the Army3—for I would not have the salted Provisions which are now forwarding from the Eastward, consumed at present, if it can possibly be avoided.4 I mean by this to have the Wee⟨kl⟩y supplies of Cattle still drawn from the Country, as far as practicable, & these Provisions kept, as a reserve, to prevent those calamities & distresses, which will otherwise so frequently happen, from unforeseen & unavoidable Accidents.5 I am Sir.