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C. C.
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the Assembly sits. Any Guess that we can make, as to the
Quantity, will be very uncertain though there are yet some
Beef & Pork which we learn is chiefly falling into the Hands
of the Continental Purchasers. Several People on Patow-
mack River who have Fisheries there, would willingly con-
tract for considerable Quantities of salted Shad of the large
white Kind; from two to, perhaps four or five Thousand
Barrels might be got, about half a Bushel of Salt would, as we
are informed, be sufficient for a Barrel containing about 200
Fish, their Heads being cut off. The Congress must find the
Salt which, we suppose, might be got up from South Key in
Time: it appears to us, a large Quantity of those Fish might
be a great and agreeable Relief to the Army, but the Con-
tracts ought to be made soon, to give the Undertakers Time
to get Things properly disposed, especially to procure the
Barrels. If the Board of War should think proper to make
the Attempt, Mr Thomas Richardson of George Town, will be
as proper a Man as any in this State, to make the Contracts
on this side of Patowmack, and another Person about
Alexandria ought to be employed on the Virginia Side,
but each to be confined to his own Side. If barrelled
Herrings would be usetul, great Quantities might be got,
at and in the Neighbourhood of Charles Town on the
Head of this Bay. We had taken such Measures as we
thought would have furnished Guards for the Prisoners; we
gave Orders for inlisting for six Months only and, if that
failed, to require a Proportion for a few Weeks, of each Bat-
talion of Militia; but both have failed. Colo Beatty has had a
great Deal of Trouble, and we have been uneasy at the situa-
tion of the Prisoners; we shall try the Expedient he mentions,
though in a Conversation with the Governor, he seemed to be
of Opinion that the Militia would not serve on Guards, tho' it
should discount for the Time they are to serve in Classes.
Our Militia Law does not expressly oblige them to serve on
Guards and we are not very fond of giving Orders that may
or may not, and probably will not be obeyed, but shall, in this
Instance, and lay the Defect of the Law before the Assembly.
We have not, lately, heard from Fort Frederick: the Distance
is so great we cannot hear often and expected that Mr Daniel
Hughes had corresponded with Mr Boudenot on the Subject,
but, from the Information the Governor had about a Fortnight
ago, we expect it is by this Time nearly ready to receive the
Prisoners. Guards and Provisions will be necessary there.
Inclosed is the Roll of the Officers in the Maryland Troops,
some of them were appointed by the Commissioners who were
sent to the Camp, some by the Council of Safety, some by the
Assembly and some by the Governor & Council and in many
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