Request for Rations
Item
Type
Autograph Letter Signed
Title
Request for Rations
Description
Henry Knox, Secretary at War, contracts with Clement Biddle to furnish rations for the new companies of troops to be recruited out of Philadelphia. Knox sets the price in Pennsylvania currency and provides an itemized list of the expected ration.
year created
1785
month created
09
day created
29
author
sent from location
War Office
recipient
sent to location
Philadelphia
in collection
in image
notable person/group
Clement Biddle
Henry Knox
Mr. White
Mr. Hodgdon
troops
treasury
contractors
notable location
Philadelphia
War Office
Fort Pitt
Pennsylvania
notable item/thing
recruiting
rations
subsistence
bread
flour
beef
pork
rum
salt
vinegar
soap
candles
accounts
payment
business
currency
pence
quotas
receipts
document number
1785092900001
page start
1
number of pages
3
transcription
[Docket in margin] Knox War Office
Septr. 29th.
1785
[Address Panel]
Public Service
Clement Biddle Esquire
in
Philadelphia
War Office
[Another docket in side margin] Knox War Office
September 29th
1785
War Office September 29th: 1785
Dr: Sir
Two Companies of Troops, part
of the quota of Pensylvania, will probably be
recruited in the City of Philadelphia and who
will require to be subsisted with rations un=
=til they shall march, and on their route
to Fort Pitt, the place of their destination;
I should be pleased if you should think
this Business an object of your attention, and
agree to furnish the rations composed of the
parts hereafter mentioned at Nine Pence
half penny Pensylvania Currency; this was
the price given to Mr. White the last Year &
we know of no cause why it should be
higher now. I have written to Mr. Hodgdon
informing him that I have made you the
offer of this business in the first Instance, and
if you should not think proper to engage
in it, to apply to another Person.
The Troops
will be marched as soon as they are raised, and
the Accounts shall be paid at this Office or the
Treasury immediately afterwards.
I am Dear Sir
Your very Hble Servant
HKnox
Clement Biddle Esquire
The Ration to consist of
1 lb. of Bread or 1 lb. Flour
1 lb. Beef or 3/4 lb. Pork
1 Gill of Rum
1 Quart of Salt to every hundred rations
1 Quart of Vinegar to every hundred rations
2 lb. Soap to every hundred rations
1 lb. Candles to every hundred rations
The receipts must be signed by the commanding officers
of the companies and[?] there should be no quarter
masters -- [indecipherable] Master
he must sign the receipts [indecipherable]
HKnox
Septr. 29th.
1785
[Address Panel]
Public Service
Clement Biddle Esquire
in
Philadelphia
War Office
[Another docket in side margin] Knox War Office
September 29th
1785
War Office September 29th: 1785
Dr: Sir
Two Companies of Troops, part
of the quota of Pensylvania, will probably be
recruited in the City of Philadelphia and who
will require to be subsisted with rations un=
=til they shall march, and on their route
to Fort Pitt, the place of their destination;
I should be pleased if you should think
this Business an object of your attention, and
agree to furnish the rations composed of the
parts hereafter mentioned at Nine Pence
half penny Pensylvania Currency; this was
the price given to Mr. White the last Year &
we know of no cause why it should be
higher now. I have written to Mr. Hodgdon
informing him that I have made you the
offer of this business in the first Instance, and
if you should not think proper to engage
in it, to apply to another Person.
The Troops
will be marched as soon as they are raised, and
the Accounts shall be paid at this Office or the
Treasury immediately afterwards.
I am Dear Sir
Your very Hble Servant
HKnox
Clement Biddle Esquire
The Ration to consist of
1 lb. of Bread or 1 lb. Flour
1 lb. Beef or 3/4 lb. Pork
1 Gill of Rum
1 Quart of Salt to every hundred rations
1 Quart of Vinegar to every hundred rations
2 lb. Soap to every hundred rations
1 lb. Candles to every hundred rations
The receipts must be signed by the commanding officers
of the companies and[?] there should be no quarter
masters -- [indecipherable] Master
he must sign the receipts [indecipherable]
HKnox
Item sets
Document instances
| In image | In source | Location in source | |
|---|---|---|---|
| [view document] (3 pages) | NCK04 (3 pages) | Collection: Gratz Collection: Generals of the Revolution | Case 4, Box 12; Knox |
Document names
| Type | Name | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Author | Henry Knox | War Office | [n/a] |
| Recipient | Clement Biddle | Philadelphia | [n/a] |