of the Council of Maryland, 1778-1779. 117

Ins^t I am sorry, that I cannot see the necessity of the inter-
view which you propose. If you or Lord Howe have any
dispatches for Congress and think fit to transmit them to my
care, they shall be forwarded by the earliest opportunity. If
you have any of a Military nature for me, for none other can
come properly under my consideration, I wish them to be
communicated in writing and in the usual way. This will pre-
vent any trouble on the part of Col^o Patterson and must
answer, I should suppose, all the purposes you may have in
view.
I have the honor to be
Sir Your most obed^t Servant
Geo. Washington
Sir Henry Clinton.

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[Secretary Peters to Gov. Johnson.]

War Office June I^st 1778
Sir,
The Board have been favored with yours of the 29^th Ulto
& are concerned at the Information contained in it concerning
the disarmed State of the Maryland Troops. We can how-
ever hardly credit the Report of so many being destitute of
Arms, because if this was the case we should have heard of
it before. But how to have remedied the Complaint we
should have been at a Loss to determine as our Stock of Arms,
as it ever has been at the opening of every Campaign, is
lamentably low. No Importations of Consequence have been
made tho' we had Reason to expect large Arrivals which the
numerous Captures by the Enemy have prevented. We have
not been able to repair the Wrecks of the last Campaign in
the Article of Arms altho every Effort has been made. Of
Course there are Numbers in Camp without Arms as we are
informed, but not in so great Proportions by any Means to the
Numbers of their respective Divisions as those of General
Smalwoods. if your Information is received from Persons
acquainted with the Fact. The Board approve of your Excel-
lency's ordering the 15 chests of Arms to General Smallwood;
but hope no Jealousy will arise there from among the Officers
at Camp commanding Men equally destitute of Arms. There
were 700 Hands on the Eastern Shore. Those in the 15
Chests amount to no more according to our Calculation
than 375. We thank you for your Exertions in ordering
the Stores forward & hope for a Continuance of your
Attention to the Stores Tents &c yet behind. The Resi-
due of the Arms & Tents should be sent to Camp to be

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