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Sir:

I am to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's favour of the 25th of December by Mr. Porterfield, as also £4000. This sum would have nearly paid up our contracts at that time, but the certainty of a Southern Campaign induced me to extend our contracts still further, and have purchased from Col. David Smith and Mr. Turner about 400 hogs, which were prepared for the Virginia market. This purchase, with some others, will require

£7500 more in order to discharge all demands for contracts in this State. I can also inform your Excellency that in the course of this Month there will be nearly seven hundred bbls. of Beef and Pork cured, besides the supplies to Genl. Ashe's Division. I shall set off to-morrow morning for Pee Dee in order to start from thence a considerable number of hogs all ready, and which are to go to our Camp. It may be necessary to inform your Excellency that as the money I have received on account of the public is expended, I have left no order to purchase flour, altho' it appears to me some small quantity would be necessary. Mr. Porterfield will remain at this place, and will execute any order you may please to give him in my stead.

Capt. McAllister will wait on you for money to discharge demands against me on account of the public and any other commands.

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