of the Council of Safety, 1776. 469

P. S. Had I not been much indisposed I would have done
myself the Honour to have attended you myself.

[Graham to Steward.]

Lower Marlbro 21 ' Nov. 1776.
D'Sir
M^r Forbes was at Court. He says he can engage 10 to
20.000 pounds of Beef at the prices you mention 3^d to 3 1/2
but it must be sent for next week, as the people who have it
will not feed it and without feeding the Beef will fall away
now. He cannot engage to cure it. You must send salt and
casks to take it away. There is a good deal of Pork in that
neighbourhood, some ask 3/. others say they will take market
price. If you will give Directions he will engage that too.
He has no one to assist in looking after the curing of meat
and therefore any comm. on the purchase will not make it
worth his while to undertake that part of the Business.
T. King carried your letter and the cash to Kinsey on
Tuesday night. M^r Forbes had no Inclination to go to
Virginia. I shall be glad to hear from you, and you must
give M^r Forbes notice to engage the Beef.
D'Sir
M^r Stephen Steward Your ready Serv^t
West River Charles Graham.

C.S.C.

[Chase to Council.]

Philad^a Nov 21^st 1776.
Thursday Evening
Gentlemen.
Congress have not received any further particulars of the
Loss of fort Washington, than the account published Nov.
19^th Capt. Ramsey arrived here this afternoon. I am informed
by D^r Rush, that he relates the affair in this manner (from
Colonel Cadwallader, who is released by the Enemy without
any Parole, on the Request of General Prescott, for the civili-
ties & attendance of his father, the Doctor, on the General
when a prisoner in this city) That fort Washington could
not contain any thing near the number of our Troops ordered
for its Defence. That there were two lines thrown up, the
first at a considerable distance from the Fort, the second (and
by far the strongest and capable of holding all the Garrison)
much nearer to the fort. Our Troops were posted chiefly in
the first Lines and were there attacked by the british Troops
at this time a large Body of Hessians crossed Harlem
River, and landed within the second lines, there not being

Original.