of the Council of Maryland, 1777. 389

timore in Arms, to oppose the Distresses made under the
Militia Law, and are apprehensive that he may need Assist-
ance from your County to reduce them to due Obedience to
the Laws. If he applies for your Aid, you are to furnish it
and of such as you can best rely on. It is a distressing Cir-
cumstance to be obliged to exert Force against our own Coun-
trymen, but suffering a lawless armed Force to prevail over
the Laws, would certainly and soon enslave us all.
Aquila Hall Esq^r L^t of We are Sir &^ca
Harford County

C. C.

[Council to H. Hooper.]

In Council 3^d Oct^r 1777.
Sir
The Militia of this State who are now at Camp, will soon
have served their Time, and our Affairs may very probably,
require that they should be replaced. We therefore request
that you will order the first and second Classes of the Militia
of your County to march immediately and join Gen^l Wash-
ington. As many as can, are desired to carry their Arms, and
each, who go a Blankett; they will be furnished, at Camp,
with the Tents, Canteens, Kettles and Accoutrements belong-
ing to this State now in Use, but, probably, some of the Arms
may be carried off or rendered unfit for Use. If Care has
been taken of all we sent, those who now go, may be supplied
with them also, but it will be best not to rely entirely on them.
We wish as little Delay as possible. We are Sir &^ca
Henry Hooper Esq^r L^t of
Dorchester County

172

[Council to A. Buchanan.]

In Council Annapolis 3^d Oct^r 1777.
Sir.

We this Morning received yours of Yesterday and are
truly sorry for the Occasion of it, wishing, as we are sure you
do, to avoid the Necessity of shedding the Blood of our
Countrymen. We inclose you a Proclamation, offering For-
giveness for the past, on Condition of dispersing and ceasing
to oppose the Execution of the Law in future, which we desire
may be printed & generally dispersed immediately. We
would have had it printed here, but the Delay of the Express
would have been too long. We inclose you an Order to
Major Smith, also a Letter to Col^o Beatty & Col^o Hall, which
you will make use of as you may find necessary and, you

173