New Bern 4th May 1778.
Sir:
Herewith you will receive eight sets of bills on the Continental Treasury for one thousand dollars cash payable to your order with which you are requested to purchase eight wagons and teams on the best terms they can be had, and send them down with the one yet remaining of those you bought under the direction of the Board of War, with drivers and a wagon master to Edenton, where Mr. Joseph Purnell Assistant Commissary General will receive and load them, or in his absence Messrs Hewes and Smith, will receive them and do what may be necessary. The wagons must carry corn sufficient, for the teams to last to Edenton, and from thence till they cross James River on their way to the Northward. I must request you use every despatch in your power in
this business, and let me know the progress you make, and furnish me with account of the prices you give for the wagons and teams you purchase.