His Excellency 
  
Govr John Letcher 
Richmond Va 
                                HdQrs ANVa Octr 31st 63 
Sir 
The following communication has been made to me which I deem of sufficient importance for reference to State authority, as I am not aware of any Confederate law under which I could act in the case – Dr. J. R. Pugh says, there are seven distilleries in Rappahannock County, using all the wheat in the neighboring counties they can produce, buying under the pretext of giving it to the poor - Mr Grant Mr Beggerly, & probably Dr Ambler, can give the necessary information - While so general an outcry prevails respecting the scarcity, or high prices, of  supplies, it is certainly desirable that such misappropriation of the necessities of life should be corrected, and such measures adopted as may tend to prevent such waste hereafter, and I resepctfully refer this case to you for such action, as in your judgment may best secure this end 
  
I am Sir Resply. yr. Obdtsevr 
  
R E Lee 
 Genl