of the Council of Maryland, 1777-1778. 503

[Dana and others to Gov. Johnson.]

Camp at the Vallev Forge 16^th Feb^ry 1778.
Sir
We have the Honor to compose a Committee of Congress
appointed to confer with the General upon the Affairs of the
Army & with him to concert measures for opening the Cam-
paign with Vigor and Activity. During the Progress of this
important Business the critical situation of the Army on the
score of Provisions hath filled our minds with Apprehension
and Alarm, fed by daily supplies and even those uncertain
we have to fear a total Want. Some Brigades have not tasted
Flesh in four Days and the Evil great as it is seems rather to
increase than diminish. The Commissaries inform us that
they have not only met with great Difficulties in purchasing
Provisions in your State but that they cannot even transport
what they have purchased for the want of Waggons & the
like. Whether these apologies are justly founded we will not
presume to say but this is certain that upon an early Trans-
portation of large Quantities of Provisions to this Camp from
the State you preside over the very Existence of our Army
depends. Let us then intreat you Sir to exert the full Influ-
ence of your Abilities to forward such supplies as may have
been already bought up and also to obtain by such measures
as you may think most adequate to that Purpose as much as
can be spared by the Inhabitants from their own particular
Consumption We have the Honor to be
respectfully, Sir, your most obed' & humble Servants
Francis Dana John Harvie
Nath^l Folsom Gou^r Morris

C. C.

Original.

Tuesday 17. February 1778.
Present as on yesterday. Thomas Sim Lee Esquire attended.

Ordered That the western shore Treasurer pay to Thomas
Sim Lee Esq^r seven hundred and seventy four Pounds, five
Shillings and eight pence half penny to be delivered over to
Buchanan & Cowan due on Account for building a Galley per
Acct pass^d
That the said Treasurer pay to John Green Three pounds
and also the further Sum of two pounds seven Shillings and
nine pence due per Acc^t passed
That the said Treasurer pay to Rignall Duckett twenty two
pounds ten Shillings as Surgeon's Mate to the 11 Battalion of
Militia prince Georges County whilst in actual Service per
amount of Account passed by the Board of Acc^ts

C. B.