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46
Preston 4 January 1816
Sir
By the Bearer my Son John, I send enclosed, the weekely Reports I have had made of the actual issues of the Provision to the People of Colour, The Provisions sent over by his Excellency was Calculated for 400 full rations a day, The number was soon so [illegible] by blacks recommended some by Mr. Cogswell and others by your self that the claims for Provision amounted to 430 rations a day, However by attending to his Excellencys order to withholde the allowance of those who were doing nothing, toward building of houses wee have never issued more than at the rate of 384 rations a day, And on an avarage not more than 360, Thus 70 rations a day has been prevented being worse than thrown away by Supporting People in idleness and posturing their inclinations so to live. And as much as 40 rations that is to say 280 rations a weeke of the Provision Sent over for the People of Colour here is reserved in store for future use, And this is not the only benifit derived from the regulation, but those who were doing very little are becomming more industrious and either working on their own houses or assisting others to complete theirs. And those who are in theire houses are [crossed out words] several of them in their turns assisting those to build by whom they have been assisted. And have in the meantime two and some I