of the Council of Safety, 1777. 67

[Council to Col. Harrison.]
Jan^y 21^st 1777
Sir. Your favour of the 17^th instant we received and are
pleased to find you will be able to purchase a quantity of Beef

for the use of the State. We send you inclosed an order on
the Treasurer of your Shore for £250, and will write to him
to advance to you any further sum that may be necessary
for your purchase. As soon as a vessel can be had, we shall
send you fifty bushels of salt. Those belonging to the State
are out with Salt for the lower counties on your shore, and
Patuxent, to be applied for curing Beef for Public use. When
we applied to you to undertake this business we expected you
would be prevailed upon to engage in it rather from a willing-
ness to serve the public than the commission offered; however
we think it proper to let you know the expense of labourers in
the purchase and curing will be allowed as well as the com-
mission of five per ct. on the price of Beef and Cask.
Col. Robt. Harrison We are, &c.

[Thomas Contee to Council.]
Gent. Nottingham Jan^y 21^st 1777
I have enquired something about Tobacco on Potomack,
am informed twenty two shillings and six pence has been
offered, and Tobacco comes in slow, my acquaintance thinks
it may be had at twenty five shillings and five shillings for
cask. If the Council of Safety determine to load the ship that
Capt. Kelty commands with Tobacco and chuse that I shou'd
put one half the cargo on board and will give me orders to
that purpose, I will cause it to be set about immediately. I
intend to be innoculated for the small pox myself in two or
three days, but that will not impede the dispatch of the Ship,
as I shall give such directions to put things in the greatest
forwardness. If Col^o Hooe puts half the Cargo on board, and
is desired not to exceed 25 / p^r Cent, I make no doubt Tobacco
may be had for that price, and if I am to put the other half, it
would be well to advise Col^o Hooe of it, that we may act in
conformity and be as one purchaser. Many purchasers always
raise a commodity is well known by you all. Be pleased to
favour me with a line p^r Post or if any opportunity, before.
It would be well to let the ship take in her ballast, lumber,
Bread &c. at Baltimore, if to be had readily there. Provision
I presume may be had on Potomack where the ship loads and
the Capt. may purchase it.
I am, Gent, with great esteem and respect,
Your most obed^t Serv^t
To Tho^s Contee.
The Honble Council of Safety
Annapolis

C. S. C.
No. 120.