I have return’d some days from Maryld: and the Delaware State and find the Supplies procured for Public use very triffling and that the State Contractors have done but little—I could not obtain permission to seize private property, indeed the Governor & Council had not the power of giving it, altho a very large quantity of Flour and an immensity of Indian Corn might have been procured—the Flour cheifly in the hands of Millers and Speculators—All the Provisions upon the Eastern shore I have Order’d to be collected at the Head of Chester from whence it’s to be transported to Duck-Creek Landing where Craft are waiting to take it in—The whole Eastern shore Supplies now purchased will not exceed twelve hundred barrels of Flour and two hundred and fifty Barrels of Beef and Pork—those of the Western shore are more considerable and I have given Directions to have them collected as near to George Town as will Admit of safety.

The State of Delaware have done little in the purchase of Flour, and have procured no Meat altho great Things are in their power—had the Assembly laid the Millers under small Contribution they might have had all their Quot[o] of Flour procured and delivered into the Public Magazines some time ago—I have collected from the Agents in that State six hundred Barrels of Flour and eight thousand Bushels of Corn which will all be at Trenton in a few Days provided no accident happens in the Bay.

There are little or no Magazines in this State—the Governor and Council have furnish[ed] their Commissioners with large Sums of Money to expedite their purchases of Flour (which is very plenty) but the Villainy which prevails in this City amongst the Mercantile and speculating Interest, and the measures daily pursued by the disaffected People in the Barter of hard Money, Counteracts every Public Measure and has depreciated and ruined the Circulation of all paper Currency, indeed the Contractors can buy nothing, and no person can subsist in this place without hard Money to procure the Necessaries of Life—this has induced the Council to call a special Meeting of the Assembly on the 24th Instant to endeavour to adopt some certain plan to procure the Supplies acquired, and comply with other public Demands.

The Board of War have ordered me to proceed to York Town and see that proper Provision is made to supply General Waynes Detachment from that place to Fredericksburgh—I have procured a pipe of Wine and some necessaries for Your Excellency & Family which shall be forwarded in two Days from this place.

Upon my Return from York Town shall give your Excellency every further information in my power respecting Supplies. I have the Honor to be with every sentimt of Esteem & Regard Your Excellencies Most Obedient & most Humble Servant