of the Council of Maryland, 1777. 341

hand, cant yet tell what their intentions is the headmost
Ship, which from her Carrying a Flagg at her maintopmast
head, Suppose to be the Admiral has come too in the mouth
of the Channel comming to this place a few minutes ago, the
wind now at S. W. a Small Breese dont imagine they will be
up this night. General Buchanan is doing all he can to git
the Militia togeather hope they will turn out well. Cap^t Nich-
olson is down here with all his men which has nearly man'd
Our Lower Battery. " I am not so well prepared as I coud
wish but shant give up the Fort, without giving them some
trouble I am Sir
Your M^o Obliged Hble Serv^t
Nath^l Smith
P. S. Since wrighting the
Above observe the whole
Fleet is Comming too off the
mouth of the River
Yours &c. N Smith.

C. C.

[N. Smith to Gov. Johnson.]

Fort at Whetstone Aug^t 23^d 1777.
Sir.
The last of the enemies Ships weighed Anchor yesterday
morning at half after eight oClock & stood up the Bay, and
informed this day by two Gentlemen, from the head of the
Bay that they have bonded up 200 men on Prefuse Island,
supos'd for Stock. M^r Garthes of this place cros'd Susque-
hannah at 5 ^oClock last evening, says one Devission of the
Fleet were standing for the Head Elk the other for Susque-
hannah or Charles Town, its probable after landing their
men, they may Attempt our Fort, if it should be the Case will
give them as warm a Reception as in my power, have been
informed that its the General oppinion of the pepole at Anna-
polis that they cant hold that place against so large a Fleet
as is above us. if thats the case, woud it not be best to try to
save this, by sending some of the 18^lb guns by land here, we
have much the Advantage as nothing Larger than a Frigate
can get up, if the Galleys had their guns they woud in my
Oppinion be able to prevent the enemie landing in the Ferry
Branch above us & wou'd be in a very safe place as the Water
is very Shoale. Up towards Elk Ridge & the Channel Crooked.
Youl see by my last Return I am very week as to guns
having only 6 18 pounders, think if the Gallies had their
Guns & I had Ten 18 pounders more with the Assistance of
the Frigate & Defence we cou'd prevent them from taking

Original.