106 Journal and Correspondence

C. C.

for Leave to go into Philadelphia, some of them want to
return again: We have not given Leave to any Body to go
in, without Permission from the Officer commanding the Con-
tinental Troops at some Post on the Way, nor have we recom-
mended any except M^rs Stewart, M^rs Caldcleugh and M^rs
M^cCall. We were not satisfied of the Propriety of suffering
People to be frequently going in, especially to return again
and are unwilling to put the Rejection of their Importunities
on you, but the Earnestness with which some solicit and its
being said that such Favors are frequently granted at Head
Quarters, make us desirous of knowing whether you think
proper that such Applications, where we have no particular
Suspicions, should be promoted by us, and to whom we shall
refer them ultimately. It is with Relucrance we request the
Favor of a Line on this Subject, and are with every Senti-
ment of Respect &^ca
Gen^l Washington.

[Council to Delegates in Congress.]

In Council Annapolis 22^d May 1778.
Gen^t
The Recruits mentioned in the Extract of Parker's Letter
inclosed in yours of the sixteenth are, we believe, those carried
off by one Sterling a Deserter from one of our old Independ-
ent Companies, though the Number exceeds that of which we
before had Information A considerable Part of the Recruits
were from Sussex and crossed over to Annimessex. Before
the Recruits had left the Islands we received Information of
what was going forward and .immediately gave Orders to
our Militia below and Notice by Letter to Col^o Simpson that
every Effort might be made to stop them, but their Flight on
Board was too quick, nor indeed was it well in the Power of
the Militia, for Want of armed Vessels, to have prevented

their going off, if our Information had been earlier. There is

a perfect Coincidence of Governor Henry's Sentiments and
ours, as to the Utility and Necessity of Manning our Gallies;
our Endeavours have been without any great Effect and, we
believe, his have not been very successful. We have hoped for
Assistance from the Resolve of Congress, but not a Man has
come that we know of: if we could Man our Gallies, they
would cut off, or greatly obstruct the Intercourse between the

p. 165

Enemy^s Ships and the Disaffected in this State and Virginia,
prevent or punish the Depredations committed by the Tories
on the Bay Craft and facilitate the Transportation of the Stores
for the Army. Your Endeavours to have us furnished with some