of the Council of Safety, 1777. 57

my power to procure you a quantity of beef at the price you
have mentioned, shall accordingly employ a proper person to
ride about to purchase, having little doubt of his meeting with
some. I shall immediately be in want of Salt to cure and cash
to pay for it, which you will be pleased to send me as soon as
possible, I wou'd beg leave to take notice of the absolute
necessity of having the salt sent soon, as no quantity can be
had here at any rate, shou'd it not be wholly expended for
your use by my not being able to procure the quantity of beef
you want, I will be accountable for the overplus.
I cannot help observing that the commission you offer is by
no means adequate to the trouble and expense I shall be at
on this occasion, nor do I undertake the business with a view
of profit, therefore I expect shou'd I expend a larger sum than
the 5 per Ct. in purchasing and curing the beef, you will not
hesitate to reimburse me. I am, Sir,
Your most obed^t Serv^t
The Hon^ble Dan^l of St. Thos. Jenifer Rob^t Harrison.
President of the Council of Safety of Maryland

[Deams to Council.]

Worthy Gentlemen. January the 17^th 1777.
This to inform you that I have wrote to your Honors three
different times, but have not received any answer, therefore
let you know by this oppertunity that I have applied to M^r
Barnett Ackleburger Merchant for cloath but his price is 18^s
per yard, but have purchased at 17^s 6^d much better of M^r
Charles Harris, therefore please to let me know by the Bearer,
whether I must render you a bill of cost or to M^r Chase. I
have applied to M^r Chase for blanketts, and he sent me to the
Board of War, but I could get none, but M^r Chase told me
that the first that came I should have; but is very uncertain
when I shall get any, my soldiers are forced to stand centery
night and day, which I think very hard; I think it very proper
to get leather Britches for my soldiers as they are willing to
allow the difference between them and others out of their
wages. Should be glad you would inform whether I shall be
right in so doing; I can get very good stockings at 15^s per
pair, the same man is applied to for all he can make in a
twelvemonth at the same price; also the hats wheather I shall
get them made in Baltimore, or your Honors send them up to
me from Annapolis with the other cloathes:
The person I recomended to you as first Lieut. is a wool
card maker as you expected him to be &c. The Liev^t in my
last recruit Phillip Stilts by name is ready, and willing to serve

C. S. C.