New London Virginia November 22^nd 1793 [Addressed: Miss from Mr. / Wm. Bratton / New London / Bef. Lynchburg / Col. Wm. Irvine] [NC: N.D. Doc. 1-] M^r Joseph Ballins supersede want of his instructions design'd for the [strikethrough: purpose] of returning the Publick Arms at this place, arrived a few days past, by him I learn that sometime before he left Philadelphia you had written to me requiring I should make Provision of every kind for facilitating the business. I am extremely sorry that this letter has failed coming to hand, I however glad your Instructions to M^r Ballins warrants in some manner my taking up the business and in making the necessary Provision for accomodating the men when they shall arrive. Suppose too that the most eligible mode will to to Board them and have made certain proposals to some of the Inhabitants of the Town to that effect, but I feel myself at a loss to know what particular Species of Provisions they must be furnished with, especially, as it has been said that they will expect to have Tea Coffee &c for Breakfast & Supper this will make a Capital expence on the Board, and as I wish to be as economical as possible, I have thought it best to write directly to you and request you will favour me with explicit instructions in this Particular, and also inform me what mode will be adopted for defraying the various expences that will accrue in the Prosecution of this whole business of returning the Arms — So that money might be saved to the Publick, if it could be furnished with a sufficient price for a few hundred extra men it might be enabled to advance a fund to those furnish'd with, for furnishing the different articles wanted, as well as to the Sover who may engage to Board & billet them, and also that all the Payments could be made quarterly Please favour me with your answer as early as possible and in the mean time I will take the best M[easure] I can [undecipherable] at hand to forward the business I have the honor to be & Your most Ardent humble Servant [signature: W^m Holts]