260 Journal and Correspondence

C. C.

Appointment. We have ordered a Number of Jackets from
Baltimore to this Place with Intention to cloath the Troops
who are to march, it is the first Object, many have been
marched off very illy provided and some almost naked, it is a
great Discouragement to the recruiting Service, it is of vast
Consequence to fill up our Quota as far as possible and we
consider well cloathing the Troops as soon as inlisted, as a
Step towards it.
You may be assured the Artillery Companies shall soon
have our Attention. We are &^ca
Maj^r Smith

75

[Council to G. Wells.]

In Council Annapolis 17^th May 1777
Sir.
Cap^t Walker requested our Directions to you, as to finish-
ing the upper Works of the Vessel you are now building for
the Public, whether we would have it done in the Ship or
Galley Fashion; he says he thinks it would not be inconven^t
to you to delay the Finishing of her 'till the one Cap^t Walker
is in is rigged, if so we should be glad you would delay it 'till
an Experiment can be made, by which it may fairly be deter-
mined which is best We cannot procure men for those
already in the Water, so that the Public will not suffer by the
Delay. If you cannot, with Convenience delay the finishing,
we are inclined to think it best to do it in the Manner of a
Ship. We are &^ca
M^r Geo. Wells.

Original.

[Gist to Gov. Johnson.]

Baltimore, 17^th May 1777
Sir: I have this moment received a letter from Major
Forrest at Camp, informing me that the Officers of my Bat.
are much dissatisfied that they have not received their Com-
missions agreeable to appointment from the Assembly of this
State. I should be extremely happy to have it in my power
to remove this complaint by forwarding their Commissions pr.
first Opp^y
I shall set out for Camp myself on Monday morning; if you
have any blank Commissions shall be glad to have them filled
up and forwarded to me p the return of Mr. Jno. M^cLane,
who will be here early on Monday; if not, a Certificate from
you to the Hon. the Congress, to have them filled up in Phil^a
will much oblige Your mo. Obd^t H. Serv^t
M. Gist.