294 AUTHENTIC HISTORY 



Building is necessary, bm having had the Brick Store on the Hill recom- 

 mended to us for this purpose, before your Letter came to hand, we had 

 wrote to Col. Hubley to apply it accordingly. We are sorry to find the 

 Quarter Master's Department in such a feeble Condition as to be unable 

 to bear the slightest Expences, such as necessary Repairs and Wood. 

 We must entreat you to apply to Col. Miles in the most earnest manner 

 for some assistance, as it is absolutely out of our Power to give any hard 

 money, as none has come in for Taxes, and the Inhabitants of this City 

 have been frequently called upon heretofore. We cannot but think that 

 such a Representation from Mr. Atlee and yourself, stating at the same 

 time that the Government is not in a Condition to supply you, will bring 

 round a Grant of at least a small Part of the £300,000 given lately by 

 the King of France to Congress. We think your mode of getting Wood 

 the cheapest and best, but we have never yet either here or elsewhere 

 taken upon us the Payment of the Bills or Direction of the Quarter 

 Master's Affairs in any part of the State; should we begin we do not 

 know where it would end. 



So far as the Repair of the Barracks which belong to the State, and 

 have been usually repaired by the Government formerly, we should not 

 hesitate to do it if we had the money. We do assure you that Persons in 

 of&ce are obliged to live as well as they can till the new Taxes are levied. 

 We hope every one will see the necessity of collecting them speedily, 

 and that Lancaster County especially (which is so able,) will exert her- 

 self to recruit the Treasury. Such an exertion would be very reasonable 

 and do great credit to the Commissioners and the County in general. 



There have been many Subscriptions, Loans, &c., in this City; we 

 have never understood that our Friends in the Country have been called 

 upon in this wa3^ Such a flourishing Town as Lancaster we should 

 hope might, and they will in a Case where Humanity and their own Com- 

 fort is concerned, advance a small Sum of money when the Repayment is 

 now become so certain and expeditious. In addition to all former Loans 

 and Subscriptions we have now a very considerable one for the distressed 

 Inhabitants of South Carolina who are comiuo; over in laro-e numbers. 

 These Contributions are much heavier upon us than all the Taxes. 

 Surely it is reasonable to expect that those of our Friends who have 

 never been disturbed by the Enemy and are of Ability will help a little 

 at such a Time. If no such temporary supply can be had we can only 

 advise the Application I have mentioned in the same Part of this Letter 

 and that without Loss of Time. It is not with us a Question of Will 

 but of Ability, as we should be glad to relieve you from your difficulty 

 as well as ease the People of Lancaster in any Matter in our Power. 



I am. Sir, 



vour obed. Hble. Ser. 



