222 Journal and Correspondence

C. C.

Flying Camp, none of them have been returned, the few that
reached Philadelphia, about two thousand three Hundred,
were delivered in there, by Order of Congress and have, as
we are informed, been since disposed of, for Continental Pur-
poses: We therefore expect that in our naked and dangerous
Situation, we shall be gratified with two thousand stand, and
if they can be spared, with more, as a greater Number will
most probably, in a short Time, be necessary.
We are Sir
with the highest Respect your
Most obed^t humble Serv^t
To His Exc^y John Hancock Esq^r
President of the Congress
Inclosed, a Copy of the Resolve of Assem^y of the 7^th Ap^l
1777.

3'

[Gov. Johnson to Hancock.]

Annapolis 21^st Ap^l 1777
Sir.
Inclosed is a Resolution of the General Assembly of the
19^th Instant, requesting one of the Regiments raising in this
State, to be stationed on the Eastern Shore. The repeated
Intelligence received by Congress of our Enemy's designing
to send a considerable Force into Chesapeake Bay is in some
Measure confirmed by an Officer, lately exchanged and now
here, who says it was lately reported in New York, that Gen^l
Burgoyne had arrived in this Bay, with ten thousand Troops.
From His Excellency Governor Henry's Letter to me a Copy
of which I have taken the Liberty to inclose you, it seems to
be his Opinion, that in Case there should be a Descent on the
Eastern Shore, Virginia can render but little Assistance, and
that the Defence of that Country will be thrown principally
on this State. The Advantages the Enemy possess, may pre-
vent this State, as well as Virginia from affording any ade-
quate Assistance to the Eastern shore; for, the Western
Shore of both States will, with great Difficulty, if at all, be
able to transport Troops across the Bay: This, and the Cir-
cumstances of two of our Counties as well as Sussex on Dela-
ware, which I believe worse than either of them, make it
necessary a Regular Force should be kept on Foot on the
Eastern Shore; Gen^l Smallwood is of Opinion the upper Part
of Somerset County in Maryland is the most proper Place, it
is nearly opposite to the lowest good Water on the Eastern
Shore of our Bay for Vessels of Burthen, about thirty Miles
from Lewis Town, directly in the Course of Communication
from thence to the most disaffected Part of Maryland, about
thirty Miles from Accomack in Virginia, from whence, and