of the Council of Maryland. 175

The Estimates may appear large but we conceive them to be ab-
solutely necessary. To the utmost of our power we have endeavoured
to correct abuses in the public expenditures. We have called for the
aid of the respective Executives. Again we recommend this Essen-
tial object to their attention. Nothing on our part shall be wanting
which may contribute to promote the strictest ecconony in dispensing
the Supplies now required.
We have only to add our Earnest desire that no time may be lost
and should the legislature of your State not be in Session on the
receipt of this letter that it may be immediately convened.

November 9
Red Book
No. 7
Letter

No. 5

[Don'1 Yeates, D. Q. M., Head of Elk, to Gov. Lee]

Sir Major Gen^l Green called on me in his way to your city and
after leaving me Orders for the executing some Interesting business
relative to the supply of the Southern Army; he desired me to make
you Acquainted with my situation, in relyance of your Aid and
support; the bussiness being executed in due time; being dependant
on my gaining the timely supplys to enable me to forward such
Stores as are ordered, I wish to communicate to vou my present
Situation in regard to the Waggon and Pack horse department;
on which the bussiness of Posts under my care materially depends ;
if I don't mistake the matter in the requisition of supplys from each
State; there is required from this State, in forage fifty six thousand
one hundred and fifty two Bush^ls of Indian corn, and two hund^d Tons
of hay; I don't find there is any provision made by the State to sup-
ply the Hay after informing you I can't gain or procure money to
purchase this Article owing to the present exausted State of the
Public funds, I am Possessed w^th some Certificates under the late
regulation of Congress; which from their principals of equity be-
tween the Debtor and Creditor in the payment of the contract; I
apprehended I could make some purchases on, but from the present
Ill temper of the People w^th Public Contractors they are not of use
to me; I have now at this place a Considerable number of draught
and Pack horses; and have not an ounce of hay to support them, am
also scant of Short forage, no grain being sent me from this State
since I have been at the Post, and have rec^d but little from Col^o
Hollingsworth and not any Hay some few days ago I was at the
Port of Baltimore there was none there (a little excepted supplyed
on M^r David Poes own Credit) this situation being continued but
a little time at this Season it will render the horses unserviceable to
business, from Gen^l Greens Orders I am hourly in expectation of the
Arrival of Military Stores at Christiana bridge which I am directed
to forward immediately if I can get the supplyof hay from the State
some of it being ordered with dispatch will be ascentially Service-
able to the Public bussiness, the Hon^ble the General Assembly being

November

10