State of Rhode Island &c. Warwick January, 7th 1779. Sir, The necessary Article of Bread is so scarce in this state, that the General Assembly have directed me to write to your Excellency, requesting that the Embargo may be so far dispens'd with, as to permit Flour and Grain to be transported by Land from your State for the sole purpose of feeding the Inhabitants of this. This State never produced Bread Corn sufficient for the Inhabitants thereof, at the best of Times, but always imported large quantities from yours and the other Southern States. The Enemy have been in possession of near one third of the best Plough Land in this State for more than two Years; from the Large Bodies of Militia that we have been obliged to keep on Duty the whole Time, we have not been able to improve the Lands that we had remaining in our possession in the best manner: Add to all this, that there are several Thousands of the Inhabitants of Rhode Island come off- that must be supported among us, a great part of them in necessitous circumstances. [2] Your Excellency must be able to judge from what your own Inhabitants suffer, how hard the Lot of those poor - People must be when Inform you that Corn nor Flour - cannot be purchased for Money at any Price whatever. We have made repeated Applications to our Sister - State of Connecticut for them to grant us the Favour we now ask of you, but all in vain: We have given our - Delegates Instructions to lay our unhappy Case before Congress, and to request their interposition with your State, and Connecticut for Relief. On the whole we doubt not, your Excellency will take the earliest Opportunity to lay this Request before your Assembly or executive Council, and use your Influence that our reasonable Request shall be granted. I have the Honor to be Sir, your Excellency's Most Obed't. Humble Servant. W. Greene Govr. [written on page 1] His Excellency George Clinton, Esqr;