Head Quarters, Orange Town, August 20, 1780
Dr Sir:
This day Mr Joshua Anderson of Monmouth County, presented a petition to me in consequence of Captain Rudulphs seizing a stone horse, which he urges was at any rate, unfit for present use. His petition is supported by many well affected Inhabitants of that County who place him clearly in the character of a friend to his Country. Therefore as the seizure must have been made by the Capt, in consequence of my instructions to you, and they only directed that such horses and cattle as belonged to disaffected persons in the power of the Enemy were to be taken, and Mr Anderson lives about 20 Miles from the Sea, and cannot be considered as coming within the instructions, I desire you will have the horse given up to him.
I am &c.1
1 The draft is in the writing of Richard Kidder Meade.