of the Council of Maryland, 1777-1778. 499

Communication by Water will be too uncertain to rely on and,
in all Probability, when the Enemy discover that the Army

draws its Supplies through this Bay, the Number of Men of
War will be still increased. It appears to us, that the keeping
this Bay clear or obliging the Ships of War to keep together,
is an Object worthy the Attention, not only of these States, but
of Congress, and that, if the Virginia Frigate was laid up and
her Crew employed in Gallies for that Purpose, they would be
much more usefully employed than they are at present. We
have five Gallies now fitted, the Hull of a sixth & seventh
almost finished, all very stout but we cannot compleatly mann
two. The Assembly, seeing no Likelihood of manning the
Whole, directed the two unfinished Gallies to be sold and, if
your State or the Congress incline to purchase, we had much
rather dispose of them for the Public, than for private use.
The Enemy took a fine Tobacco Ship belonging to this State,
in Patowmack the other Day, they grow more venturesome
than heretofore, and we are apprehensive if not checked, will
put an End to the little Trade we have
Governor Henry. We are Sir &^ca

C. C.

[J. Henry, Jr. to Gov. Johnson.]

York Town Feb^ry 14^th 1778
Sir.
Congress a Day or two ago, took up the appointment of
commercial Agents, and concluded to refer the same to the
commissioners in France M^r Ross and your Brother were in
nomination. If you have an opportunity it would be well to
write to M^r Johnson. I do not at present know in what part
of France he resides, possibly upon inquiry, I may be informed.
At this time I do not know of an opportunity but as soon as
there is one I shall write to him myself.
Besides our Accounts lately from the W. Indies, we are
informed by a Letter from Rich^d H. Lee to his Brother, that
there is a large Snow arrived at York Town 42 Days from
Bourdeaux loaded with salt and dry Goods. The Capt and
Supercargo say the number of Troops sent to the W. Indies,
is certainly very considerable. Among them are a very pow-
erful body of Artillery and two thousand dismounted Cavalry.
What the latter can be for puzzles me. These Gentlemen say
that altho the utmost care is taken to quiet the minds and
Suspicions of G. B. that a war will most certainly take place in
the Spring. They further say the Spanish Ambassador, the
Duke de Choiseul and D^r Franklin have had frequent and
long conferences.

Original.