North Carolina, Dobbs County 13th Febry 1778.
I wrote you a few lines yesterday, by a person who came out from Williamsburg express to me, and therein acquainted you that I had appointed a Gentleman your assistant, who would
answer your sanguine expectation. This letter will be handed you by that Gentleman Mr. Joseph Green of this County, whose capacity and assiduousness in the business I could answer for myself. But agreeable to your request I have taken his Bond with sufficient security in £50,000 this currency for faithful discharge of his office. I have engaged Salt and Pork to amount of upwards of 40,000 Dollars. The 20,000 dollars I received by Mr. Davenport, are paid away, and the remainder will be soon wanted, and as the season for purchasing will be soon over, I have advised Mr Green to go immediately in to you for money, perhaps you may think it advisable to furnish him with a greater sum, than what I mentioned in my former letter, i. e., 80,000 dollars which with the 20,000 received will make 100,000. I think they may be laid out. However from Mr. Green's information you will be able to judge what will be sufficient.You'll please to inform Mr. Green whether the provisions and salt are to be sent on to South Quay or if to be laid up in this State. I apprehend from Mr. Buchanan's plan approved by Congress and transmitted to me, for opening an Inland Communication from this State to Maryland for conveyance of these articles to the Grand Army, the former is intended, I shall therefore 'till I hear from you be provided in the best manner I am able with Boats proper for conveyance to South Quay. You will also be pleased to give Mr. Green directions with respect to the pieces and quantity, if to be limited, of salt and Pork to be purchased. I believe it may be necessary to give more than 40 dollars for Pork, indeed what is engaged of that article I believe will somewhat exceed it, when a sufficient quantity of salt is put in, and the Barrels properly secured so as to preserve the meat through the summer. You may rely on my giving Mr. Green every assistance in my power.