16 Journal and Correspondence

C. S. C.

is redy. I am purchasing Pork for the Defence at 50^s and it
cant be had for less. I shall do all I can for you.
from your Humble Servant
Jesse Hollingsworth
To the Honnorable Counsill
of Safty, Annapolis

[John Gibson to Council.]

Talbot County 4^th January 1777.
Council of Safty. Gent.
I immagine ere now you've had an impeachment laid before
you by M^r Chamberlaine against Jere. Colston, and others of
Caroline County for forcibly taking a quantity of Salt from
him. And lest you should not have the matter impartially laid
before you Honors, I've thought proper at the request of the
parties concerned to give a real and true State of their whole
proceedings in going out in serch of salt and their coming in,
viz. Colston being in extreem want of salt heard it was most
likely to be had in Talbot County, and being well acquainted
there, He proceeded through it making the strictest enquiry
after- salt, but could hear of none except that M^r Chamber-
laine had ingrossed. He then went to M^r Chamberlaine with
an intent to purchase, and finding him not at home, made his
business known to the family, who told him M^r Chamberlaine
would certainly sell him none and also heard that he had
refused selling to many before. Colston went a second time,
when he was disappointed in the same manner. On his
return he acquainted many as he pass'd with his business and
the real want he was in, for he then had 1500 w^t of Pork
kill'd in his house, which had laid there some time for want of
salt, which he could by no means procure and returned empty
home again. He was then mentioning his case to his neigh-
bours, who say'd they was in the like circumstances and knew
not what to do. He then let them know he was informed
Chamberlaine had a quantity of salt, at a plantation of his,
(called plain Dealing) to the amount of 100 Bushels, but
would not part with any of it to any person. Those men then
after making the strictest enquiry after salt without success,
pressed him to go with them, and seemed determined if
Colston would join them, to deal plain with the ingrosser of
that scarce article salt. They then proposed going with each
of them a musket, and also money to buy as much as they had
real present need of, which latter they would first offer to
Chamberlaine's Trustee, and if he would not take the money
and deliver the salt, they would take it by force, to this propo-
sition Colston agreed, the time was appointed when to set out