69 | To Jeffery Amherst

    Boston Sep 4. 1761

    Sr.

    I am favoured with yours of the 28th. August.325 It is Very agreeable to me to have your approbation, ^even^ in minute things: but the Civilities I showed to Capt Moncrief were due evry way, to his personal behaviour, to his rank, & most especially, to the Commission He bore under you.326

    Your proposal concerning providing our troops with spruce beer was so striking, that I lost no time in laying it before the Council, who have this day advised, that I order the sevral Colonels to provide immediately Spruce beer for their Men at the rate of 2 quarts per. man a day or more if desired; & that they immediately enter into contracts for that purpose, being directed to draw upon the Commissary-general for the sums that shall be due upon such contracts, which will be duely paid. I am also advised to desire that you would give orders to the sevral commanding officers to assist this purpose with their power; and that, where our troops shall be detached in so small parties as to render a special provision of spruce beer impracticable, they may have credit for spruce beer from those that supply the regulars, on the same terms, which shall be duely acknowledged here.

    I must add for myself, that It would be very agreable to me, if, whilst We are providing spruce beer for them, some method may be hit upon to prevent their being supplied with Rum; & for that purpose, I should be glad, if such orders for this, as you shall subject the regulars to, may be extended to our provincials.327 I have allready wrote to our Colonels,328 that I expect, that, if such orders should be issued, they take care to see them punctually obeyed. If these two purposes shall be well pursued, (as I have allready prevailed in another of no less consequence, their being well cloathed) I flatter myself, that the returns at the end of this Service will be Very different from what they have usually been.

    I am, with great regard, Sr, Your most obedient humble Servant

    Fra. Bernard.

    His Excellency Majr Genl Sr Jeffry Amherst.

    ALS, RC WO 34/26, f 107.