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Those in 1777 were given for three years; and
the gentlemen in question growing by habit and encouragement into more
boldness, in 1779 the contracts were disposed of for five years: and
this they did at the eve of the expiration of their own appointment to
the government. This increase in the length of the contracts, though
contrary to orders, might have admitted some excuse, if it had been
made, even in appearance, the means of lessening the expense. But the
advantages allowed to the contractors, instead of being diminished, were
enlarged, and in a manner far beyond the proportion of the enlargement
of terms. Of this abuse and contempt of orders a judgment may be formed
by the single contract for supplying the army with draught and carriage
bullocks. As it stood at the expiration of the contract in 1779, the
expense of that service was about one thousand three hundred pounds a
month. By the new contract, given away in September of that year, the
service was raised to the enormous sum of near six thousand pounds a
month.


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