of the Council of Maryland, 1777. 355

they may eventually, with their 120 Men, be serviceable, if
there's an Attack upon this Town, and, as it is impossible to
guard our Shores and Rivers, we hope no Man can blame our
Views to prevent such a Disposition of the little Force we
have as would render the whole of it of no Consequence at
all, which would certainly be the Case if we were to send the
two Gallies from hence. We are endeavouring to send for-
ward what of our Militia we can towards the Head of the Bay.
A full Employment of the Enemy there will, in good Measure
take them off our Backs every where else, but we have not
nor can we get Arms we fearr to furnish one third Part of those
who are willing to March; the People in general shew great
Spirit and Alacrity. There remain in the Hands of M^r W
three or four Hundred Stand of Arms, lodged with him some
Time ago to be cleaned; and in the Hands of M^r Smith about
100 Stand of M^r Winters's make. Col^o Richardson has been
furnished with 200 stand from Annapolis, and we hope M^r
Read the Gun Smith has some Arms by him. Cap^t Campbell
left Annapolis a few Days ago, with thirty Matrosses includ-
ing Officers, with Orders to join the Eastern Shore Militia at
Chester. From the latest Accounts we have, our Van pos-
sesses Iron Hill, the Enemy Gray's Hill about two Miles east
from the Head of Elk. Every Day is big with great Events.
We shall send over, with Orders to lodge at Chester, Mus-
quet Powder Lead, Cartridge Paper & Flints, the Quantity
will depend on the Conveyance we may get; if a sufficient
Boat can be had, we shall send a Plenty: our Stores are a
good Deal dispersed by the hasty Removal of them. We are
of Opinion that strictly we cannot give to others a discretionary
Power to draw out the Public Money; but surely when every
Thing is at Stake, the Treasurer will not be particular or cere-
monious, he and we must rely on the Equity of the Legisla-
ture, however if we have a Power or may be thought to have
it, the inclosed may satisfy the Treasurer. We are
Mathew Tilghman, and Gent &^ca
Rob^t Goldsborough Esq^rs

C. C.

Monday 1 September 1777

Present the Honble. Josiah Polk, John Rogers and Ths.
Sim Lee Esquires.

Commission issued to Abel Heddington appointed Quarter
Master to Col. Edward Cockey's Batt. in Baltimore County.
Ordered That the western shore Treasurer pay to Capt.
Bailey Thirty pounds on Account of the Thirty ninth Batt. of
Militia in Baltimore County.

C. B.