of the Council of Safety, 1775-76. 173

and by letters from Captain Kent the Commander, dated Snow
Hill 9^th Feb^y 1776 is the following, "I was always flattered

that our orders and ammunition were lodged here but find

there is neither. The C-v-n have so managed matters as to
distress me exceedingly. We find there is no provision made
for Camp Equipage such as cooking utensils &c. That no
person is authorized to pay the men their wages, nor any pro-
vision made for getting back when relieved which the Conven-
tion recommend to be at the end of eight weeks after our
encampment, not considering that these men enrolled only till
the first day of March. I believe a request or recommendation
from the Convention to stay eight weeks wou'd be agreeable
provided proper accommodations were procured, but when
ordered co stay six weeks longer than they enrolled for is
looked upon as a stretch of Power, and taking from us what
we are contending for, Liberty.

It is reckoned to be from 100 to no miles from Hansons
to this place and we are told it is about 80 miles further to
Northampton Court House, near which it is imagined we shall
encamp.

I have seen M^r Probart our Commissary who has nothing
to do for us only to procure the Provisions agreeable to a Bill
of Fare made out for the troops by the Congress or Conven-
tion. Utensils for cooking &c we must find or go without.
This expence will be too heavy for me as I expect one hun-
dred pounds will not carry us down. Many of the poor young
men are bare footed and I am obliged to advance the money
or leave them behind. I have also paid 5 or 6£ for repairs
to our Firelocks such as were absolutely necessary. We hope
the necessary steps will be taken to relieve our brave country
men from their difficulties and as speedily too as it can pos-
sibly be done.

We are y^r obed^t hum^ble Serv^ts Turbutt Wright.

Th. Wright So^l Wright

Tuesday 20 Feb. 1776. Council met. Present as yesterday. Mr Hall attended. Ordered That the Treasurer of the Western Shore pay to Mr William Spear One hundred and sixty eight pounds twelve Shillings and two pence, being the Ballance of his Account with the province, as pr Account filed. Commission issued to Felix Lewis Massenbach appointed 2 Lieutenant of Capt. Fulford's Company of Matrosses. Also to Fielder Bowie appointed Capt, of a Company of Militia in Prince George's County belonging to the 11th Battalion.

C. S. J.