of the Council of Maryland, 1777. 345

This shore abounds in such a number of Rivers that the
Enemy cannot march thro' it in a Line with the Bay and
dare to venture thro' it by heading the Rivers: the Ferries &
Passages may be easily guarded: I think the Head of Sassa-
fras which is a lofty Part of the Country will be a good Place
for Head Quarters.
I wish we had Col. Richardson with us with his Regulars
they would give Spirit to the Militia.
We have three Pieces of Cannon here which carry a Ball of
3^lb 10^oz with about 100 Ball they belong to a Vessel we shall
fix them immediately on Carriages & make field Pieces of
them. We have 15 Casks of Powder here containing each
about 50^lb I submit whether an officer of the Train with a
few men even half a Dozen to instruct us would not be
adviseable
Doctor Bordley who is Lieu^t of the County represents to
me that the People were willing to exert themselves and from
the Accounts I have from Queen Ann's County they too are
equally inclined to defend their Country.
What I can do on the occasion you may be assured shall be
done I am determined on it and if in the Heat of Zeal I may
advise any Extremity out of the strait Line of the Law or our
Constitution I hope I shall be excused: as to Extremities from
necessity they will need no Apology or Justification. My Plan
is to have a respectable Body of Militia arm'd and assembled
immediately and I hope no scoundrel of Tory or Traitor will
be able to shew his Head or give any Discouragement to our
Exertions.
What Assistance you can give us I am sure you will give :
My love to all friends. Y^rs Aff^ly
W Paca
Sunday 25 Aug. 1777.

C. C.

Tuesday 26 August 1777.

Ordered That the western shore Treasurer pay to Robert
Collect Thirteen Pounds Amount of Account.
That the said Treasurer pay to Charles Wallace Howard
one hundred Pounds on Account.
That the said Treasurer pay to Samuel Wilson Eighty
pounds on Acc^t
Commissions issued to Jeremiah Jordon appointed Col.
John Reeder Lieut Col. John Allen Thomas Major, Charles
Jordan Cap^t John Eden I^st L^t Samuel Maddox second Lieut
Meveral Lock Ensign Gerard Bond Cap^t John Shanks first
Lieut. Clement Gardner second L^t Stephen Tarlton Ensign,

C. B.