of the Council of Maryland, 1778-1779. 281

of those Officers, or that they would have come out under any
other Confidence, than that they understood full powers were
to be given to fix the General Principle of Rank between the
Corps, and after that was laid to Alter undue Promotions, as
they must have been conscious the latter was an Object which
the Officers could not get over, who now Complain doubly of
the breach of Confidence after so long a Service, which they
now declare they would not have remained a day in, under
such glaring Acts of Partiality
The Brevet Officers Complain of no reserve being made for
them who are intitled upon every Military Principle, but under
the present Construction and Resolution they must Suffer with
the others in the above recited Instances what the event will
be I don't know but I dread the Consequences and fear their
Effects will be too soon felt upon Gen^l Washingtons return
from Philad^a for experience thus far has taught me that such a
number of season'd brave Officers, who have mostly had three
years experience and Actual Service will be no inconsiderable
loss, out of the Line of the troops of any State upon the
Continent
I have inclosed you a return of the State of my Brigade, and
shou'd have transmitted a Similar one of the Maryland Division,
could it have been Obtained, but it is not now under my
Command
We have just recieved Advice of part of the Cork fleet
having arrived in New York which was said to be intercepted,
nothing new here at present
I remain with sincere regard
Your very Obd^t Hble Serv^t
W Smallwood

Original

Thursday 21 January 1779

Present as on Tuesday
Ordered that the Commissary of Stores deliver to Lieut
Bagness Cloth for a p^r Breeches, and two pair Shoes
That the western shore Treasurer pay to Luther Martin Esq^r
Two hundred and fifty Pounds per Acc^t passed by the Aud. G^l
The Congress having laid aside the Design of employing
the Baltimore & Independence Gallies, Com^o Grason is there-
fore Ordered not to enlist any Men for a Southern Expedition
in Consequence of our Former Orders and he is to give Orders
accordingly to the Officers in his Department

Friday 22^d January 1779

Present as on yesterday
Ordered that the western shore Treasurer pay to Lieut John

C. B.