Sir:

Mr. Hardy Bryan who was appointed by the General Assembly to supply the several detachments ordered to march from the Regiments belonging to your Brigade, having declined that service, I am to request that you forthwith direct the commanding officers of the several Regiments composing your Brigade to appoint some person to furnish the men marching from their respective Regiments with provisions, until they arrive at Halifax, as this very necessary business must not be neglected. The expense attending this matter, shall be paid so soon as the money arrives which I expect at least by the time the Troops will get to Halifax. I imagine that one person might furnish those who march up Tar River, Hyde, Beaufort and Pitt and those from Carteret and Craven and perhaps Dobbs by one, if the men from Carteret and Craven march by way of Kingston, where the Dobbs men are to Rendezvous the 6th June. I have in view the appointing a person to go to Johnston who will contract for provisions for that detachment, and also for Dobbs, if the Carteret and Craven men go by Kingston. On your signifying the same, provisions shall be furnished there for them, but this must be known in time. This trouble I am loth to give you, but it cannot be avoided, any expense you are at for expresses shall be paid the moment you furnish the Secretary with the account.