306 Journal and Correspondence

Original.

[Maryland Deputies to Council.]

Phil^a 2^d April 1776.
Gen^t M^r Arch. Buchanan could not take the money as he
expected & promised. M^r Ringgold collected & brought up
here 160. 17.. 6 it has been delivered into the Treasury besides
the change for that Sum we have delivered 4000 Dollars to
M^r Ringgold, Who sets out in a few Days he will take with
him the rest of the Money, we hope the plates & that the
paper may be sent off about the same Time. We have nothing
that can be depended on as to the extent of the powers the
Commt^s are to be invested with whilst we are in Suspence on
this head we think no Step of Consequence could be prudently
taken and therefore do not expect our Convention will con-
tinue long or go fully into Business we could wish if agree-
able to them that there might be an adjournment, till about
the 20^th of May with a Continuance of the present existing
powers if they think proper. We shall be obliged to you if
you will cause Affidavits to be made and transmitted to us of
the Time of the Capture & Recapture of Hudson's Ship that
we may get the Salvage, the Quantum of which depends on
the Time she was in possession of the Tender, ascertained
and paid we were desired to let the Claim which we made of
Salvage rest till the Event of another Effort was known we
hope the ship is now out of the Bay. We are Gen^t
Your most Obed^t Servt^s
Th^s Johnson Jun^r
R. Alexander
W^m Paca
T. Stone

Original.

[Dalton to Jenifer.]

Alexandria April 2^d 1776.
Sir. Inclosed is a letter for a Gentlemen over the bay, and
I have often experienced letters that I have sent by post to
that part of the country have miscarried enduces me take the
Liberty, to inclose it to you, requesting the favour of you to
forward it, by some safe conveyance the freedom of which I
hope you will excuse.
We find it difficult the fitting out the cruising vessels here,
the scarcity of sail Duck & proper sized cannon plague us
much in getting — indeed am apprehensive we shall not be able
to procure light Duck for the small sails and must endeavour
to make up the deficiency from old sails rather than none.
The two Row Gallies goes on very well and will soon be
built, though am apprehensive of being at a loss for heavy
cannon, our choice would be one 18 pounder the other 24