490 Journal and Correspondence

C. C.

Troops nor can enough be got for them. We are desirous of
treating all equally and shall direct the Leather Breeches to be

delivered to the Sergeants, as far as they will go, and request
they may be left for M^r Calhoun to send with what other
Cloaths he has ready. A Boat will call at Baltimore in its way
to the Head of the Bay in a Day or two, which will be a good
Conveyance for what Cloaths you have for your Regiment.
Besides the Order of the Assembly that the Commissions
given out by the Governor and Council should be dated in
April, your Brother's Appointment, from any Thing we can
find was so late as 20^th February, we therefore cannot fill up
the Commission as you desire. The Reason, we imagine,
why M^r Reiley's Commission bears date the 10^th Dec^r is, that
he was then, or a few Days before, appointed and Commis-
sioned by the Commissioners M^r I. Smith being a first Lieu-
tenant in the Matrosses may be of Weight in settling his
Rank and as he has given up his Commission, we inclose you
a Certificate of his appointment We are Sir, &c.
Col^o Sam^l Smith

Original.

[Gates to Johnson.]

War Office 11^th Feb^ry 1778
Sir.
The inclosed Letter from, Col^o Charles Beatty, Lieutenant
of The County of Frederick, will convince Your Excellency of
the Necessity of immediately Ordering a proper Detachment
from the Militia, to Guard the Prisoners of War now in
Frederick Town. By a Resolve of Congress of the 21^st Ult^o
all the prisoners of War are directed to be put into close con-
finement, until The Enemys Generals shall think proper to
Abate of their inhuman Rigor, to our unfortunate Brethren in
Their Hands, this being The case, I cannot see how the request
of Col. Beatty, to let some of the Prisoners in Frederick Town
go out to work with the Country Inhabitants, can be complyed
with. The Other part of The Colonels Letter requesting the
appointment of an Assistant Q. M. at Frederick, shall without
Delay be considered, & will probably meet with the Approba-
tion of The Board. I am
Sir
Your Excellencys
most Faithfull
Humble Servant
His Excellency Horatio Gates
Governor Johnson