of the Council of Safety, 1776. 207

inform you that the different officers are collecting arms as
expeditiously as possible. Cap^t Alexander hath got 14 guns
in the neighbourhood which he paid for, and Col^o Hollings-
worth is to supply him with 20 more which is to be charged
to your Board. We fear from Cap^t Alexander's report that
he will not be able to procure more than 20 others. He
will get a sufficient number of Blanketts. Cap^t George hath
got 50 guns which are paid for and will be able to procure a
sufficient number for his Company. He hath also got 54
Blankets which are paid for and will get the remainder that
his Company may want. We have followed your instructions
in the purchase of Guns. We have been obliged to give such
prices for Blankets as they could be purchased for. The cash
in our hands is expended and if you wish us to proceed any
further a supply will be necessary as there necessary accoutre-
ments cannot be had without it. We further desire to know
whether these troops are to be continued in quarters. If
cartouch boxes are difficult to be procured with you, they may
be had here at the same price as in Philadelphia. We have
purchased 6 canteens at 4/6 each fearing you might want
them. I am in behalf of the Committee Gentlemen,
Your Most obedient
John Veazey J^r chairman

[Hollingsworth to Council.]

Sir. I am going on a Bout the timber and other things for the
Gundeloes, which I shall purchase and bring into the Yard as
fast as posible, but have made no Bargin with you a Bout it.
I shall charge the same for my time as when I superintended
the Frigat Business which was 22^s/6^d per day and I had the
liberty of furnishing her with all the Bar Iron delivered at the
place at £26 per Toon. I mean M^r Well's shop and the Pich
Tar and Turpintine at the Market prise in Baltimore and
payd all my bill for mony advanced for all kind of nesaryes
such as shee wants. Sirs, you may at first look on this to much
but I have a good deal of my own business to doe and a great
number of other peoples. I have myself and 2 as good clarks
as any in Baltimore and we are early and late at our business.
I am on horsback from morning till night, driving amongst the
people, have another hand riding after teems getting nesaryes
and two horses is not enough sometimes nor 2 clarks with my
sellf at the head of them. I shall bee from home in Patapsco
neck this 2 weeks geting timber with 20 hands from home
day and night and 2 or 3 teems, up to my middell or
neck in water rafting and freting mysellf and a thousand
disapointments that you no nothing of. I shall be as puntual

Original.