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They have there also plentiful crops of corn growing. We have instructed him to try whether means of conveying it down into the Sounds, and up some of the rivers of North Carolina, or by land to Meherrin river, and thence down Chowan, and up Roanoke, cannot be rendered practicable.
I am, with every sentiment of esteem and respect, your most obedient
and most humble servant,
TH: JEFFERSON.
P. S. I enclose a certificate, acknowledging satisfaction for the money furnished Colonel Kosciusko. T. J.
LETTER XXIV. TO HIS EXCELLENCY GENERAL WASHINGTON.
Richmond, September 23, 1780.
SIR,
I yesterday forwarded to you a letter from Colonel Wood, in forming you of his situation. That post has, for some time past, been pretty regularly supplied, and I hope will continue to be for some time to come. A person whose punctuality can be relied on, offers to contract for victualling it. If we can agree on terms, and the Assembly will strengthen our hands sufficiently, we think to adopt that method, as the only one to be relied on with cer tainty. I have heard it hinted that Colonel Wood thinks of quit ting that post. I should be exceedingly sorry, indeed, were he to do it. He has given to those under his charge, the most perfect satisfaction, and, at the same time, used all the cautions which the nature of his charge has required. It is principally owing to his prudence and good temper, that the late difficulties have been passed over, almost without a murmur. Any influence which your Excellency shall think proper to use, for retaining him in his pre sent situation, will promote the public good, and have a great ten dency to keep up a desirable harmony with the officers of that corps. Our new recruits are rendezvousing very generally. Co lonel Harrison was uneasy at having none of them assigned to his corps of artillery, who have very much distinguished themselves in the late unfortunate action, and are reduced almost to nothing. We happened to have about four hundred drafts, raised in the last year, and never called out and sent on duty by their county lieutenants, whom we have collected and are collecting. We
