34 Journal and Correspondence

C. S. C.

Ewing, which we intimated in our first letter. Since that, we
have received a copy of their requisition transmitted to the
Committees from one of our Delegates in Congress, so that
we have always had doubts how far it would be proper for us
to interfere. The Militia being to march under the requisi-
tion of Congress addressed to the several Committees of
observation.
Your commission gives you the right to command, and we
are desirous you should take the command of the whole
Militia from this State in case you determine to go under the
requisition of Congress. We cannot be more explicit. Your
going or not we leave to your own discretion.
The arms heretofore belonging to this State furnished the
Flying Camp were stopt in Philadelphia or that neighbour-
hood by the Board of war, acting, we presume, under the
authority of congress. A copy of their order we send
inclosed. We know not whether the General Assembly will
consider those arms as our property. We make no doubt all
the militia have been furnished them. Many have been lost
or changed for worse arms. Congress is responsible to us for
the deficiency at least, and we apprehend it would be improper
to give an absolute order for them until the point is settled.
We take it for granted arms will be found you by order from
the Board of war at Phil^a and there we request you to apply.
Congress have said in their requisition arms should be fur-
nished. 500 pairs of shoes we have sent forward to Jesse
Hollingsworth through the stages, to be sold out to the sol-
diers at 12/6 under your directions, and we have sent by the
post the commissions you wrote for. We heartily wish you
success in the military line, since it seems to be your choice
and would gladly gratify you in every thing, but we appre-
hend it may involve this State in a dispute about the arms.
Should we give you an absolute order, it would be an evidence
against us that we consider them as our own, which we think at
present would be a disadvantage to the State. Few or none
of the good arms we fear will be got at any rate, and we
should be extremely obliged to you to enquire into the affair
and let us know your opinion when you get to Philadelphia,
what arms that did belong to this State can now be got.
We are, &c.
To Brigadier General Johnson.

No. 100.

[Council to Chase.]

Jan^y 10, 1777
Sir. We are much obliged to you for the intelligence you
have communicated, and most cordially congratulate with you