of the Council of Safety, 1776. 167

[Council to Smyth and Ringgold.]

Thomas Smyth and Thomas Ringgold Esq^rs
Gentⁿ We have rec^d your seperate favors of the 1^st instant
by Captⁿ Smyth, and transmit by him for the Committee the
sum of £500 for the purchase of blankets and arms— the con-
tinental money which M^r Ringgold has, we would have sent
to us by the first safe conveyance — we should be fond of per-
mitting Captⁿ Smyth to go beyond £4. 10. o for extraordinary
guns, was it not that we are apprehensive of dangerous con-
sequences from such license — as soon as a price is offered for
any thing above what is customarily given, there is no pur-
chasing at the Price which was before usually allowed, tho' the
particular article bought in reality was worth considerably
more, and therefore we cannot accord to his request, but hope
as the number of arms which are wanting are very few, that
they may be collected at not more than £4. 10 — by the Time
other necessaries can be procured for their marching — rifles
we will allow £5. 00. for. We shall give orders to the
Colonel of the Eastern shore Battalion of Flying Camp militia
to march his men in Companies to the Northward, when they
are ready, as soon therefore as Capt^s Smyth & Perkins's are
prepared, they will apply to him for orders, but we shall be
obliged to you, if you'll procure proper carriages for their
Baggage and afford them other assistance which may be
wanting. We have sent by Captⁿ Smyth twenty pieces of
Cruder, & request you will engage proper persons to make
them into Tents immediately — a sample shall be furnished
from Baltimore. Your Committee will be pleased to have
500 wooden Bottles made as soon as possible for the use of
the Province agreeable to the sample delivered Captⁿ Smyth
[but in proportion to the accustomed price for wooden ware,
we think 2/6 very extravagant, however we will give what is
usually allowed.] We also send to your Committee 30 Camp-
Kettles for the use of the Flying Camp. Knapsacks with
Havresacks are already contracted for, and we expect will be
completed in a very little Time. Captⁿ Smyth has our orders
to take with him from Baltimore 400 Cartouch Boxes & Slings,
688 Bayonet Belts, & 688 Gun slings, which are to be lodged
with your Committee, & we request maybe delivered by them
with the wooden Bottles to the Flying Camp Militia oh the
Eastern shore when armed. The Council are very glad to
hear M^r Smyth's business is so circumstanced as to admit his
coming over — the earlier in the week the better, as we are
much thronged with Business & some of our board are anxious
to see their families before the meeting of Convention.
3^dAug^t 1776

C.S.C.

No. 109.