To the honourable the General Assembly.
Gentlemen:
I am informed that a considerable quantity of lead and other stores very necessary for public service may not be procured at one of the posts in this State. If the public would give as good a price as Individuals and pay in commodities proper for exportation, with punctuality, there is every reason to believe that foreign commodities would be pretty amply supplied by our own Merchants. It is therefore worthy the attention of the General Assembly to provide means for procuring them on the above Principles. If the General Assembly shall think proper to empower me to give assurances for the payment of the price in Commodities I will immediately write and give orders for securing the stores aforesaid for the public.