25

Lardner Clark.

Letter from a provision agent sending grain, hay, horses, fish, and butter "as much as you please."

Sussex Court House, NJ, 16 April 1777
Autograph Letter Signed to Major James Abeel. One page, 11¾ x 8¼ inches, plus docketing and address panel (no postal markings) on integral blank; a bit faded, mailing folds, minor wear.

  • Notes: This civilian provisioning agent seemed to have better success than most of the merchants who sought to keep the Continental Army fed. He was possibly the same Lardner Clark (1756-1801) of New Jersey who arrived in Nashville, TN as their first merchant in 1781. Here he writes to Major James Abeel, Deputy Quartermaster General and one of the main officers tasked with finding good sources like Mr. Clark. 

    "The waggon came up rather sooner than I expected and rather sooner than I could get the grain collected in. However by next Saturday you may send waggons for 600 bushells. I now send you 50 bushells oats, 2 bushells rye, and 304¼ of wheat. I shall tomorrow send on one or two loads of hay. I send likewise 2 horses. . . . The black is an excellent chair horse and was valued at 40 pounds in cheap times. The bay is a young hardy horse and will make a good waggon horse. I might perhaps have a better if I had been allowed a lesser. I send you likewise doz. pike. The next load I will send a mess and perhaps a variety of fish. I find grain comes in fast, and a plenty by and by. I can load 3 brigades a week. I send you likewise 9 pounds of butter and will send you as much as you please."
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