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aid judiciously dispensed, would do more good, permanently to the country, than will result from an indiscriminate issuance of Rations, to the number of women, who apply. Permit me however, to suggest that this aid ought to be in corn.  This is very scarce, and is needed for stock &c. to enable such persons to start their farms, and thus be enabled to live next year.  I know hundreds who have small farms, stocked with hogs, cattle, poultry, &c. who are drawing Rations, but selling chickens and eggs, & pigs, everyday. But who are wholly destitute of corn, with which to feed their plough horse or mule, and who cannot get money with which to purchase it. The speculators are asking two and two fifty a bushel for corn; but if the Government would put it here & sell to these persons, at cost, I know of nothing that would do more benefit. The Pork, &c. they draw, they almost universally barter; and really the Rations, issued swell the profits of the small dealers about the town. I have had twenty applications