[Extract from Gen^t Hamiltons order — giving the legal construction to the Contract & ordering issues Provisions to be 5 days fresh & 2 Salt. 15 June 1800 N^o 2. General Orders. — New York, 15 June 1800 A pretension having been raised by some of the Contractors, to issue their fresh or sale Meat to the Troops at their discretion: Major General Hamilton thinks proper to declare his sense, that this pretension is unfounded; and that without an express declaration in the contract, that the option is reserved to the Contractor; it must be understood, that it is reserved to the Public: — It is therefore expected, except in situations which dont admit of it, that fresh Meat will be furnished [underline: five days] in the week as the General Rule. — Nevertheless the respective Commanding Officers of Corps and Posts, are left at liberty to vary [strikethrough: that] proportion in such a manner as may be [strikethrough: most] Satisfactory to those under their Command, and with reasonable accomodations to peculiar circumstances. — [signed] A true Copy R. Whiley Capt. Art. A copy of the copy certified by R. Whiley — (Signed) Attest, W. M^c Barron May Engrs.