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Mr. President and Gentlemen,

You will see by the enclosed affidavit, I send you, the disposition of the Tories in the several counties where I am derected to attend. From the best Intelligence from every Quarter it is most certain they wish for nothing more earnestly than an opportunity of making a Head, and were not the strictest attention paid to all their motions, I am persuaded numbers would fly to join the Indians, as it is their professed declaration—and such is my present situation that I cannot muster more than seventy five foot; Captn Caldwell with his thirty five men from the Salisbury Brigade, is returned, contrary to my express command; and now I have not one man from that Brigade; I take the liberty of requesting your derections on that Head; you will also inform me how and in what manner I shall be supplied with Lead as I am realy in distress for that article not having six balls a man, I must entreat you wou'd inform me in what manner the Public Salt for the County of Cumberland is to be secured and got and that you wou'd derect some Person there to take it in charge. I wou'd humbly recommend Captn John Walsh, as I am abliged to attend the Troops in the different Counties.

I have taken the Liberty to raise twenty five men in Cumberland under Captn John Walsh as a guard for the town of Cross Creek

during the absence of the Troops. I shou'd be glad of your approbation and if you wou'd please to have them continued till my return. A general monopoly of the salt in that County among the different Commissaries will put it out of Mr Giffard's power (shou'd this detachment be continued all winter or the major part thereof) for providing for these Troops without your special Interposition and Directions.

I am sorry I am under the disagreeable necessity of troubling you again on the Head of an alteration of the Rations for the Light Horse, when out in small parties thro' the country; 'tis morally Impossible they can carry provisions and provender along with them, nor can they purchase it when out, for ten pence pr day; by the Return which I have seen them make, I see they are obliged to give eight pence per meal for every man, which if they eat twice a day is six pence per day per man more than their allowance. I humbly recommend this particular to your Honours consideration and remain with all Respect your Honour's

I reffer your Honours for a more particular account of things to Mr Giffard who will present this.

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