of the Council of Maryland, 1778-1779. 407

[Council to S. Purviance.]

In Council Annapolis 20^th May 1779
Sir.
In yours of the 17^th you mention that salt Provisions may
be had in Balt^o for the Conqueror, on returning it or paying
for it. We imagine that what was sent down in the Boat and
returned would serve for some Time, it had best be so applied
and if more is wanted that it had best be furnished out of that
sent up in the Smallwood. The Officers you mention in yours
of Yesterday are very agreeable to us. The Independence
wants a good Deal done to her to fit her for a Cruise; the Men
we have are at present, divided between her and the Chester;
they, in Concert with our Fort might be useful against Vessels,
the same End would be answered to you by the Baltimore &
Johnson, they are gunned, we have them ready to send up to
Indian Landing with Pork and some other Articles, but if you
can get a Force to use them as Batteries, Baltimore Town
may have them for that Purpose. If Men can be engaged to
carry up the Balt^o & Johnson and act in them in Case it should
become necessary we will on this Occasion draw their Pay for
the little Time they can be wanted, out of the Treasury & risk
the Assembly's Approbation of our Conduct. The Stores
proposed by Cap^t Nicholson appear reasonable to us, we wish
you to lay in exactly the same for the Chester, except the
Meat which we can furnish here.
We are &^ca
Sam^l Purviance

[Council to R. Dallam.]

In Council Annapolis 20^th May 1779
Sir.
From late Information, it is highly probable that the Enemy
design to attack Baltimore Town, you are therefore hereby
empowered & required to march immediately to that Place as
many of the Militia of your County as you can arm, under
proper Officers, to join the Militia assembling there and to act
with them under Gen^l Buchanan. You will exert yourself to
get the Militia down as quick as possible, no Time ought to

C. C.

be lost, to expedite the Business, you would do well to send
the Men off without waiting to march in Companies. You are
not expected to go down in Person
We are &^ca
Rich^d Dallam Esq^r
L^t of Harford County

p. 259