of the Council of Safety, 1776. 309

nours, by M^r Joseph Gilpin three hundred pounds. M^r Gilpin
informs me there was an order sent me on the Eastern Shore
Treasurey, for 300 more, but I have not received the order or
money, if the order should come to hand shall return it, as all
the monney now drawn for is due. I submitt it to your Hon-
ours whither it would not be conducive to the sarvice, to lodge
a sum of monney in this county, in some Gentleman's hands
who your Honnours could confide in, who I might apply too,
as my advancing as much as I have done heretofore, (this is
soposing the troops that are now raising to go forward) may
be rather prejuditial to my other concerns. The quantity of
muskett barrels and Bayonetts, that I have made amounts to
about the sum reed on that acc^t the accts of which I shall bring
down with me as soon as in my power, together with the accts
for forwarding, and arming the troops, it appears to me, that I
have a quantity of barrells and bayonetts now by me, that M^r
E. Winter will not want, as I sent him seventy Bbls and ninety
Bayonetts the other day. I shall therefore send them by first
opportunity to your Honnours, as I have not locks (or I would
have them fitted).

I have now began in earnest with the large Bbls, I tryed it
some time since with some of the best workmen I had, and
found that without stone coal, we should spoil many Barells,
which would make the others come high, as soon as the

passage was safe I sent a vessel for a load to Virginia, which

has returned with 500 bush^s coal, which answers well. I shall
make six a week as I shall keep our Forge with three hand
forging these bbls, and they can forge one each day, some of
which I shall send down for your inspection first oppertunity,
if locks could be had which M^r Thomas Johnson informed me
he thought might at Frederick. I could have musketts finished
hear (as I think to advantage) as they would be ready for the
Troops as they pass along to the Northward or Southward,
and if locks could be made of proper size at Frederick, for the
large pieces, and sent by way of Baltimore to this place, I
would have them fited also, at your Honour's pleasure, as the
size and weight of them will make the carriage of them trou-
blesome and expensive this with the whole I with much diffi-
dence submit to your Honours, and am with much esteem,

Gentlemen Your most obed^t
most Humble Serv^t

H. Hollingsworth.

P. S. Pray gentlemen excuse the freedom I have taken
with your Honours as 'tis meant to promote and forward the
sarvice.