of the Council of Maryland, 1777. 251

[Council to C. Lowndes.]

In Council Annapolis 13^th May 1777.
Sir.
We are Obliged to you for the Trouble you took in stating
the Officer's, we understood Sergeant Ijams's, Conduct in so
full and circumstantial a Manner, he is not yet come to Town,
we expect him and shall make proper Inquiry and act accord-
ingly. We are sorry that there should happen any Ground
of Complaint, but shall, most surely, duly attend to any that is
well founded. The Public have much Confidence in the Row
Gallies, they are too backward, partly for Want of Cordage ;
the Price of every Thing is rising shamefully; we wish you to
secure a Quantity of Hemp as soon as possible, if it cannot
be certainly got under, at £3 150 or even at £4. If the
Philadelphians take it into their Heads, and they may probably
do it, they'll run up the Hemp to, perhaps 5, 6, 7 or 8£ in
Frederick in a Hurry, they have no Bounds and we must have
Cordage for the Row Gallies, we wish you to secure 10 or 12
Tons quickly. We are &^ca
Christ^r Lowndes Esq^r

C. C.
59

[Council to B. Maybury.]

In Council Annapolis 13^th May 1777.
Cap^t B. Maybury
Sir.
It is absolutely necessary that a Quantity of Molasses and
Rice should be had for the Use of the Continental Troops
now under Innoculation here, as well as for the others daily
expected; as none that we know of, can be got in this Town,
you'll go to Baltimore Town and endeavour to purchase, for
the Use mentioned, About 1 Hh^d of Molasses and about 300^lb
Rice; you will give a full Value for these Articles, if to be had
on Contract, but if they are not to be purchased without giving
an exorbitant newly advanced Price, you are to take them,
having them valued and paying the Valuation We are &^ca
Cap^t Beriah Maybury

60

[Council to S. Purviance, Jr.]

In Council Annapolis 13^th May 1777.
Sir.
M^r Maybury, the Bearer of this, will receive any Shirts you
may have to send us for the Continental Troops; we think it
will be best to let us have 500, if you can conveniently spare
so many. We are &^ca
M^r Samuel Purviance Jun^r

61