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March 7
Liber No. 78
p. 81
p. 82
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without loss of time least Difficulties occur which at present have no
Existence
[Council to Governor of Virginia.]
The Marquis Fayette has requested this State to furnish armed
Vessels for the Protection of the Transports and Troops under his
Command, and destined for the Expedition against the Enemy at
Portsmouth. We have only been able to procure a Brig of fourteen
four Pounders and a Schooner of eight three Pounders, and a Sloop
loaded and bound to Sea, of ten three Pounders. From various
Accounts we are apprehensive this Force is inferiour to the Enemies
Privateers in the Bay. We have wrote to the Commander of the
Ships of our Ally at the Capes and if he cannot spare one of his
Vessels to convey the Marquis, you will see the Necessity of your
States immediately procuring a Force which in Conjunction with
ours, would certainly be superiour to the Enemies Cruisers. The
Marquis with the Troops Cannon and Stores are now at the Head of
Elk. We have impressed and sent to him every Vessel at Baltimore
and this Place and fear they will not be sufficient. The Marquis has
requested us to procure Boats to land the Cannon and Troops, which
will not be in our Power but we hope you will be [able to] obtain any
Number he may want. General Wayne with a second Detachment
from the Pensylvania Line is soon expected at the Head of Elk, and
he is to join the Marquis as soon as Vessels can be procured to trans-
port him to Portsmouth. We have therefore thought proper to give
you this Information, and at the same Time beg Leave to suggest the
Propriety of your Strengthening the Convoy.
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Ibid,
p. 83
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[Council to Officer Commanding the Vessels in this Harbour.]
We request you to order all the Vessels in this Harbour, which
are to be under your Command, to proceed immediately and without
Delay to the Head of Elk, no Time must be lost, Provisions and every
Thing necessary must be immediately drawn; you will keep one or
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