of the Council of Maryland, 1778-1779. 177

belonging to this State, to M^r Bingham. Knowing that M^r
Bingham is Agent for the Congress and presuming that the
Purchase was for the Benefit of the United States, we inclose
you Copies of our Instructions to the Captain and of our
Letters to M^r Harrison, beyond which he had no Authority.
In Justice to this State we cannot confirm the Sale and have
wrote a Letter to the Captain, now gone up to Baltimore in
the Sloop, of which we inclose a Copy, not doubting but the
Congress, on being apprized of the Circumstances of this
Affair, will immediately order the Vessel, if purchased for
them, to be delivered to our Order. We request the Favor
of you Sir to lay this Matter before the Congress and to
acquaint us with their Determination.
We are &^ca
Presid^t of Congress.

C. C.

[Council to Delegates in Congress.]

In Council Annapolis 5^th Aug^t 1778.
Gen^t
We inclose you a Letter to the President, left open for your
Perusal, from which you'll see that M^r Harrison has undertaken
contrary to our Orders to sell the Sloop Molly; she had six
four Pounders; the Sale was for 2500 Dollars. We cannot
agree to the Injury or Example. Be pleased to seal the Letter
and favor us with the Resolution of Congress
We are &^ca
Delegates from Maryland
in Congress.

p. 184

[Council to D. Deshon.]

In Council 5^th Aug^t 1778.
Sir.
The Letter from M^r Harrison, which you delivered to the
Governor yesterday, has been considered. We have deter-
mined not to confirm M^r Harrison's Sale of the Molly and that
you, as well as others may be fully informed of the Grounds
we have for disagreeing to it, we inclose you copies of our
Letters to M^r Harrison, which contain all the Instructions we
ever gave him relative to this Vessel. As we imagine M^r
Bingham's Purchase was on Account of the Congress, we shall
fully state this Matter to the Congress, but desire, in the mean
Time that you'll not lay out any Thing on the Vessel or give
her out of your Hands without our Orders; the Freight if due
from private People, we also desire you'll receive as you

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