And I think on a partial view, that the people may be allowed to take, at the next distribution, either for the past or future, on condition that the entire supply be given them, supposing that they will not get as much as they have hitherto claimed Therefore I shall be no more uneasy at seeing myself short of one item. But whatever little I may receive, I only hope that the meat which is to be brought me will be of good quality. For however submissive the people are at present, in comparison to what they have been, I could not avoid arranging with the List Masters to induce the people to take the meat last sent me. I shall be in despair should I have again to receive any such. On this consideration, I beg you, sir, to attend to it and to relieve the people as much as possible from salted provisions. It may be said that it is less difficult to retrench bad than good food. But he must also bear in mind that this is cai-rying things to

MANOR OF LIVINGSTON. 673

extremes. I would like to accustom the people by degrees, to the reduction of the rations by gaining always something in this space of time.

The overseers of the people communicate some instances of their discontent with the government. The one and the other act with fervor, but the number of well affected to the public good exceeds that of interested persons.

Mr Sacket is now busy constructing a Bridge for the conveyance of the Tar to the River side. Those belonging to the interested party wish to dissuade him from it, but as he is aware of the evil design of these Reformers, he pays no attention to them ; continues his bridge and laughs at them.