go Journal und Correspondence

5/ then 7/6 and lately 10/ a pound for what powder I have it
is selling currently at the South Branch at 2 dollars. I have
refused parting with any because I think we shall very soon
stand in great need of it here in Maryland. When the Con-
vention of December desired all Men to enrol themselves into
Companys, to provide a good firelock, Cartridge Box, half a
pound of powder & 2^lb of lead, & to be ready to march upon
any emergency I exerted myself greatly, put myself to a con-
siderable expence, formed a company purchased a Lock Smith
& Cutler at a great price on purpose, got 100 cartridge boxes
made and woud soon have had the Company in tolerable
order; but I presently found my zeal gave offence and every
rub and Mortification was thrown in the way, to destroy the
Company, so that I threw up in disgust; from what Quarters
and factions it is needless to say; but I am extremely sorry to
see that very little regard has been since paid to the directions
of the Convention as to Arms and Ammunition, a few officers
and Privates have tolerable Pieces but for the rest some have
none, some without locks or even ramrods nor are there 5
Cartridge Boxes in the Company and all the expostulations as
a private man that I can make avails nothing, a fatal back-
wardness prevails and I lay a considerable part of it to the
Account of the officers not obliging the Men to put their
Arms into better order which I think they certainly might do.
In December last there was a good deal of powder and lead
in the store: instead of the People providing themselves with
some & keeping it ready, or in store, it has most shamefully
been wasted in Xmas Guns, fired away at birds and squirrels
so that now I fear there is very little in the County and that
little growing less every day. Our Committee a few days ago
applied to me for what I had to dispose among the People
which I refused to part with, well knowing that it will go like
the rest fired away at Ducks &c. What I have I intend to
keep, till it is wanted, to defend us against the Enemy, and I
make no doubt the Honorable Council of safety will make me
full Amends for my Zeal & Care in the preservation of it.
I have some powder, some lead, some Arms, 7 good light Iron
Cannon that would carry Balls of1 1/2^lb there are four other
new ones at Pigg Point that will carry 3^lb balls, if these were
put on travelling Carriages they might be of service to defend
the Sides of the Rivers against the Tenders, and I suppose
some arms and ammunition might be collected and procured,
if a proper officer in each County was appointed for that pur-
pose, and otherwise, I think there will not. My Opinion is that
there should be a Commissary General of Stores appointed by
the Council of Safety in each County, who, might employ
proper deputys to every Company & Battalion and collect all