of the Council of Safety, 1776. 427

[Council to Dugan.]
Sir.
We desire that you will inform us in what readiness the 92
is, and when she will be ready to sail. She must be pushed
out as soon as possible. If there is not a Captain for her, we
wish a diligent man would be recommended to us that is a
staunch friend to America.
Nov. 6^th 1776
Mr. Cumberland Dugan.

C.S.C.

No. 250.

[S. West to Council.]

Woodyard Wednesday Nov^r 6^th 1776.
Honourable Gentlemen
After thanking you for your civility while I was at Annapolis
I am to inform you that I have looked into my soldiers Stock-
ings (that I purchased with a view of cloathing my Regiment)
There are only 128 pair remaining unsold, and some of them,
18 pair, are damaged, having been less open to the Air and
moth. — the no pair are good, and are at your service at 7/6
a pair, the 18 pair may be mended and you may have them
at half price 3/9, or I can use them myself, indeed I can sell
them all with thanks among my neighbours. I send you 3
pair for samples. If you chuse to accept of my stockings,
they shall be delivered to your order, and I hope your Mes-
senger will either bring the money or be authorized to give
me an order at once on the Treasurer, for However Honour-
able sentiments I entertain of your Board; and Respect
I have for the Persons of the Board of Accounts; yet I
will never, if I can help it, subject myself to their arbitrary
determinations. I attended a whole week about an account,
that if Justice had been done me, I should have had Publick
Thanks for, — instead of which I was delayed and injured
against the most palpable evidence, and compelled to take in
November, when our currency is not of half value, a great
deal less, than I had offered me in hand by Major Marshall in
June ! Such is the reward I have had for my Publick spirit
and love of Country. Yet although I thus smart, I do entirely
confide in the Integrity and candour of the Council of Safety.
I have about 50 good firelocks and some other matters. We
are manufactoring a species of linnen cloth, that I think if
pursued would be of great Publick utility. We take the tow
of Flax and Hemp, Card it into rolls, spin it on the Great
Wheele: then double and twist it and weave it: it will make
good tents, Bagging, Waggon cloaths, coase sheets, Sails &^c
tis soft and pliable and the doubling and twisting makes it
exceeding strong. Our women spin in these days 2 1/2 lbs

C.S.C.