of the Council of Maryland, 1778-1779. 405

Letters from Gov^r Henry dated 11^th & 12^th Ins^t which gave
us the same Information, doubtless, that he communicated to
Congress. We have not been, however, without several flying
Reports, how far can they be depended on, we do not know;
if the most probable are true, they have 2 Hessian Brigades
& a Number of Tories & Refugees, commanded by Knip-
hausen, they have burnt Portsmouth & Suffolk & were on
their way to South Quay, they have got a great Number of
Negroes & have behaved with great Cruelty. It is conjec-
tured in Virginia that they design to visit this Place & Balt^o as
soon as the work is done or they are drove off in Virginia.

C. C.

We imagine the Head of Elk is as much an Object as either
Balt^o or Annapolis In our situation where nothing is wanted
in all Probability to secure us against 2500 Men but Arms,
we cannot but remember how we have stripped ourselves of
our Arms for the Support of the common Cause and the little
Attention that has been paid to our Request to return them;
it may be too late for this Occasion or perhaps not. If it is
possible to get a Return of our Arms or any of them, pray do
so and send them to the Head of Elk with all Expedition; we
had some Arms in that Neighbourhood, but have ordered them
to Baltimore and unless some Assistance is given by the Con-
gress, little can be done by the neighbouring Militia without
Arms, if there should be an Attempt against the Head of Elk,
tho' we hope chief of the Continental Stores will have been
removed from thence. Could not Gen^l Gist be spared from
Camp^r our Militia have a Confidence in him, he would be very
useful. He would lie in his own Neighborhood, acquainted
with every Man & every Foot of Ground, if you can, send him
to us. We much want the Money to pay for the Flour &^ca
purchased for Congress, our Treasury is in Advance and poor.
We shall want money if we are obliged to defend ourselves
We are &^ca
Delegates in Congress

[Council to R. Johns.]

In Council Annapolis 20^th May 1779
Sir.
We hope the Quantity of Flour wanted is fully or very
nearly procured; we have desired the Purchasers, where Quanti-
ties were to be had to close their Accounts up to this Day and
wish not to concern with the small Quantity of Wheat you
mention
We are &^ca
M^r Richard Johns

p. 257