14 Journal and Correspondence

C. C.

Power, in Case of his Absence to such Person as you may
nominate, hoping that you will take the Trouble of appointing
a proper Person, if it should be necessary. M^r Carmichael,

146

we hear, has left France, or else we should have desired his
Attention, eventually, to this Business. The Desire we have,
to get the Arms and Cloathing and our not knowing in what
other Channel to put this Matter, with a Hope of Success will,
we flatter ourselves, be a sufficient Apology to you for this
Request.
We have the Honor to be with the greatest Esteem
Sir &^ca
Doctor Franklin, or the
Commissioner from Congress at Paris.

[Council to J. Johnson.]

In Council Annapolis 3^d April 1778.
Sir
We inclose you a Copy of a Resolution of our General
Assembly and a Power indorsed thereon for your obtaining
Military Stores and Cloathing on the Credit and for the Use of

147

this State. If you can get the Loan of Money on a tolerable
Interest, it seems to us, much more eligible that you should
do so than to obtain a Credit for the Things themselves, as
you may, as having Cash in Hand, command the Articles
of the best Quality and on the cheapest Terms, but a Credit
either Way for these Necessaries, is very desirable. We are
advised the Cloathing had better be of the same Cloth worn
by the King of Frances Soldiers, the Uniform may be varied
a little from theirs, as your Fancy may direct. By all means
have the Musquets good, as near one size'd Bore as may be
and the Bayonets long: Experience shews how essential it is
to attend to these Circumstances. We have added to the
Articles mentioned in the Revolution 20 Tons of Lead which
will be wanted equally as the other Things. If you should
be fortunate enough to have it in your Power, the sooner you
get the Things shipped, the better let it be done in good
sailing Vessels which can come into our Inlets, divide them
into several Bottoms, observing to send a Proportion of each
Article in each Vessel, so that a Loss or two may not totally
disappoint us. If Insurance is to be had, insure the whole,
and reship in Case you are ascertained of a Loss. We shall
expect the earliest Advices possible of your Receipt of this
and of the Prospect you may have of succeeding or not.
We are Sir &^ca
M^r Joshua Johnson
Nantz.