Naturally, the governor of a fortress like this, with a considerable garrison, is too much occupied to personally superintend all these matters, and must leave them in the hands of his subordinates, who on their part commit them to those of sergeants and storekeepers; so that, while everything is reported to be ready, there are really deficiencies.

A waste often takes place in the distribution of stores, and the matter was so important that the king requested the duke to send one of his staff to give you every assistance, and to receive your suggestions, which will be complied with to their full extent.

As your last report was sent in some three months back, necessarily considerable changes have taken place, in that time." "Well, sir, I will obey His Majesty's orders, and give you every facility.

My officers shall be instructed to open such magazines as you may select, and you will be then able personally to judge as to the quantity and condition of the stores.

It will, of course, be impossible, unless with an immense expenditure of labour, to go through the whole of the magazines and to reckon up their contents; but as many as you wish shall be opened, and a party of soldiers told off to count the bales and cases." "A very few will suffice, sir.