History of Northampton, Massachusetts, from its settlement in 1654;

446 HISTORY OF NORTHAMPTON. 11T81.
fiirnish.ed is not definitely known, but it probably readied
the vicinity of 9,005 pounds. It was tlie smallest of the
three demands. The quantity of beef required of Northampton
by these three requisitions was not far from 42,181
pounds.
Clothiug as Well as provisions was greatly
Clothing also in
Demand. needed in the Continental army, and frequent
demands were made upon the country
to obtain a supply. The usual method was to buy these
articles from the inhabitants, and £1414. 1.2| were expended
in all during the year at different times for this purpose.
Numerous accounts still exist showing to whom this money
was paid and for what articles it was used, as well as the
price paid for each. Shirts, shoes, stockings and blankets
had to be provided.
A Deficiency.
In cousequeuce of the constant depreciation
of the Continental currency, there was
something of a deficiency in the beef tax, and in April, the
town voted to bear the loss and not to exact it of the individuals
who were delinquent. The amount of this defi-
ciency is not known, but the sum must have been consid-
erable.
No Committee. For this year no special Committee of Correspondence
was appointed, but the selectmen
were instructed to act in that capacity.
No more Free For many ycars the custom prevailed of
Dinners. paying from the town treasury for the din-
ners and other refreshments provided for
the assessors, while making out the valuation and assessing
the taxes. In January it was voted that no further allowance
should be made for that purpose. Undoubtedly this
action was precipitated by the fact that at that meeting a
bill was presented by Capt. Samuel Clark, who kept tavern
in the house occupied by the late Mrs. L. I. Washburn.
He charged for thirty-nine dinners and for rum for the
assessors, £2.12.1, in July and November, 1780, and Jan-