I have received Your Excellency’s favor of Yesterday, with the enclosures, by Col. Nicoll.1 An order for the Ammunition had been previously given, in consequence of Your first application.2 With respect to provision, of the Meat kind, I confess I am entirely at a loss by what means it can be supplyed to the Troops on the Frontier: the whole dependence of the Army for this Article is upon the Eastern States—th[e] unfavorable season for obtaining Beef Cattle between this time & grass & especially the want of Means for purchasing will prevent the supply which was expected: And the difficulty of transporting the salted Provisions has already reduced us to the last Mouthfull. General Heath informed me Yesterday, that there was but one day’s allowance of the Irish Beef left in the store, and that not a barrel had arrived at the Garrison from the Eastward.3 Thus unpromising, Your Excellency sees, our prospects of supplies & transportation are! I have ordered a quantity of Fish to be contracted for, on this River.4 And will still persist in using my best endeavors to keep the Army together, and to afford as much protection to the Country, as the Means entrusted to me5 shall enable me to do. I have the honor to be.