1 86 Journal and Correspondence

C. C.

p. 189

[Council to Delegates in Congress.]

In Council Annapolis 14^th Aug^t 1778.
Gen^t
We are rendered very uneasy at M^r Harrison's Situation in
Martinique we are dunned from many Quarters about that
Debt and indeed treated illiberally our Endeavours have not
proved successful; we find the Public looses prodigiously on
Produce shipped to Martinique, besides M^r Harrison's under-
taking to dispose of our Vessels; the only Way, as it appears
to us, that we have of making an End of this very disagreable
Business and with the least Loss to the Public, is to purchase

Bills of Exchange; we have understood that M^r Morris would

draw on France at the Rate of £100 Sterling for £500 our
Money, and we suppose the Bills would sell at Martinique for
upwards of £180 p C^t we should therefore be obliged to you
to endeavour to purchase Bills on France to the Amount of
about 2400 £ Sterling not exceeding five for one drawn in
Sets of at least four, each Bill for not more than £500 Sterling
they may be made payable to the Governor and, if an imme-
diate Payment of the Money is desired, endeavour to obtain it
from Congress and it shall be immediately replaced. If Bills
cannot be got on France, they would, if to be had on the French
or Dutch Islands, answer as well, if the Exchange is not more
against us. If Private Bills cannot be got on either Place, we
wish you'd endeavour to negociate with the Congress for Bills
or a Loan, for this is a most irksome Affair to us.
M^r Morris has never called on us for the Money due to him
for the Goods he sold this State; the Goods have been applied
to cloath the Troops, we wish to have his State of the Acc^t
that we may get the Money from Congress into his Hands.
We inclose you an Account of Commissions issued here, we
have but one left be pleased to forward us more they will be
soon wanted.
We are &^ca
Delegates in Congress
from Maryland

C. B.

Saturday 15^th August 1778

Ordered that the western shore Treasurer Pay to Capt
Bennett Matthews six hundred and forty Pounds three shillings
and one Penny per Acc^t passed A G^l
That the said Treasurer Pay to James Brice Esq^r one hun-
dred and sixty two Pounds, fifteen shillings for his Attendance
in Council
That the Sheriff of Frederick County Pay to Col^o William