QUARTERMASTER'S EXPENSES Very fine content manuscript D.S. 4pp. legal folio, Albany, Jan. - Dec. 1781 detailing estimated costs for supplies and articles to supply the Quartermaster's Department for Albany, New York. The document actually consists of three accounts including "An Estimate of Articles wanted in the Quarter Master Generals Department at Albany & its Vicinity from the 1st Jany to the 1ast May 1781...", listing all manner of supplies including bateaux together with paddles, "Setting Poles", and tar; cooper's supplies including staves, wadding, "Hoop Poles" and "Rent of a Cooper's Shop". Other articles include fire wood, lime, writing paper, quills, wafers, nails, files, and iron. The same account also lists the wages for the necessary artisans including blacksmiths, coopers, carpenters, wheelwrights, colliers, wood cutters, "Batteaumen [sic]", oar makers, ferrymen, and "Hostlers" listing their daily wages and totaling each for the term of half a year. In all the accounts run to well over 30,000 pounds, and this, according to Assistant Deputy Quartermaster Nicholas Quakenbush, is calculated "in Specie". The documents form a testament to the enormous expense involved in supporting the Continental Army, and allow a better understanding of labor in early America. Usual folds, otherwise very clean and in fine condition. $300-500