Sir,
You are, with the vessels appointed for that service, to proceed with all possible dispatch to Somersett on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, and there load them with all the oak plank from 2 to 3 [struck: ½] inches [inserted: & from [struck: and] 12 or 18 feet in length] which you can find, and also with as much pine plank from 1 to 3 inches as will complete the loading of said vessels. This plank being absolutely essential in the operations against the enemy, every exertion must be made use of to obtain it, and in case a sufficient quantity of it can not otherways be had, you are [struck: here] hereby authorized to impress as much as shall be wanting, [insert: giving receipts to the proprietors for which the United States will pay the merchantable price] for which [insert: proceeding] this shall be your sufficient warrant.
Given this 30 Sept 1781
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You are also authorized to procure as aforesaid any assistance of teams or small craft in the transportation or loading your vessells. The great necessity for these articles will I hope be a sufficient inducement for you to make all possible dispatch to return to this place, of which you will inform me me the instant of your arrival.
Trebells Landing
