of the Council of Maryland, 1777. 353

account this letter I got by my servant Phill whom I sent yes-
terday for Chase's Horse which I left at Carson's he rode all
night and gave it to me about an Hour ago.
I have been obliged to call upon the Inhabitants here for
their Clock Weights and Window Weights: we wanted Lead :
and as we have here every conveniency for making Cartridges
and men that understand it I intend to make up all Our Pow-
der and get all the Lead that I can: We have Tradesmen
here that understand the making of every military Article and
they are all at work.
There is a Brig here that belongs to Flannagan in Philad:
he is preparing to sail I think it highly injurious to our
Cause to have our men so foolishly thrown into the Hands of
the Enemy I therefore forbid it and by the Advice of the
General I shall be under the absolute necessity of taking the
Sails of this Brig of a Scow and several Schooners for Tents
for our Militia I shan't be under the necessity of cutting them up
The General says Sails answered last winter for Tents exceed-
ingly well and were preferable in general to regular Tents
Every Body here is satisfied with the Propriety of the measure.
I will however you would issue your orders for the stoppage
of all Vessels for some Time. This Brig is loaded with
Tobacco and would besides the Captivity of our Countrymen
who are a parcel of fine Seamen be a valuable Prize in the
Enemy's Hands: Whatever I do in this extreme Way is upon
Consultation with Mess^rs Thomas Smyth and M^r Earle The Gen-
eral & others in this place I have also got of the Merchants
fourteen Bolts of Canvass for Covering for Waggons and
other Purposes.
I enclose you a List of Articles for our Medicinal Chest
which send by first opportunity We want some three pound
Ball for Cannon and as many Cartridge Boxes as can be
spared.
The Enemy have taken above seventy slaves on our Bay
side and the River Elk: Upon application by some of their
Masters a Day was formally appointed for a Restoration of
them When the Day came they were told they could not
have them but should be paid for them on the Enemy's
Return. I don't understand that any Part of their Troops is
landed on this side of Elk.
By a Gentleman a Day or two ago from Elk I am told
J. Hollingsworth got wounded in the Jaw by a stragling Party
of the Enemy the man who fired on him he ran his sword
into and made Prisoner but was soon obliged to ride off and
quit him.
I shall be with Hernsley next Monday in Queen Ann's to
attend a meeting but shall return here the next Day

C. C