Extract of a letter from Major Rivardi dated May 2^nd 1799. "The letter of the Accountants Clerk respecting extra pay to Men in the Quarter Masters employ gives me great uneasiness, there is no possibility of procuring Fuel by Contract, timber for repairs — Hay for the Public Horses — and also articles of immediate necessity — and which is procured by extra duty Men or fatigues — Were that task laid on the Garrison without remuneration the utmost discontent must ensue — in particular as even by paying Wood-Cutters, Teamsters &^c it has been sometimes difficult to obtain Men capable of doing justice to the Public — The Estimate which I transmitted to you by the last Mail exceeded the Sum mentioned in a former letter — the error was owing to some omissions of Doctor Corbin — who, as I observed before, performs the duty of Quarter Master much against his inclinations."