His Excellency Abner Nash Esqr.
Sir:
William Barkesdale waits on you for more money; what you sent before is quite exhausted; forage, provision & workmen's wages being so excessive high that it runs away with it very fast. Then I was obliged to furnish all necessaries for the Militia, which took up a great deal.
Shall be glad you will send me one hundred thousand pounds by the bearer, or such a part as may be ready; the remainder may be sent as quick as possible after that is ready by some safe hand. A less sum will be of little service at this present time as all our movements depend on the article.
I sent off five waggons loaded with arms the 3rd Inst. for Kingston; five more set out yesterday for Petersburg for arms, and
five more I have that is to attend the Militia of this District, and one I sent to Doctor Pasteur, who was in want, is all I can procure. I have done every thing in my power to procure what I have. And you may depend I will strain every nerve to procure more, if to be had. I am sensible of the urgent occasion there is for them and many other necessarys which I am providing with all dispatch, and will exert myself to the utmost for the interest of the state.