418 Journal and Correspondence

Original

happen, that contribute very little towards preventing misfor-
tunes. We have perhaps been over generous in assisting the
Continent the day may come when past Service will be for-
gotten nay it is at hand however, we have the pleasure of
reflecting, that if we have erred, it has been from motives both
honorable and laudable. It appears to me if an attack is made
on Annapolis with considerable Force, that it cannot be defend-
ed. Baltimore perhaps may, as there will be time for the
back people to come to its aid.
Your express arrived, I am told at this place on Saturday
night. I did not know till a few hours ago that he waited for
an Answer the Delegates from Maryland sent off a Conti-
nental rider to General Washington Yesterday morning being
Sunday with Your Excellencys Letter, & pressed him to send
General Guest to command the Maryland Militia with any other
Officers, or assistance that he might think proper to afford our
State. I expect that the rider will return time enough for us
to write you by the Post what may be expected from that
Quarter.
Congress have but 602 stand of Arms at this place & those
not fit for immediate use. The board of War is directed to get
them repaired & to deliver them to our Order it will take
some days before this can be done but you may depend they
shall be forwarded with all possible dispatch. The Americans
are the most supine people in the Universe, they seldom see
danger till it is past if we are not roused from our Lethargy
we shall be undone. Arms Amunition &^c all go to the North-
ern States, 15000 Continental Plunkets are lately arrived in
their Ports. I see very plainly, that the Southern States will
be obliged to Shift for themselves. We got our Instructions
from the Gen^l Assembly Entered on the Journals last friday,
they are said to be well drawn by good Judges and I hope will
have weight, several causes seem to conspire to engage greater
attention to be paid to our declarations than we have hitherto
experienced. Connecticut is now I am told by Sharman dis-
posed to allow Congress to settle the dispute about the Back
lands. That State has empowered its Delegates to confederate
with the other States, but on the express Condition that Mary-
land shall have the power at any time hereafter to accede to
the confederation on equal terms with the other States. The
800000 dollars were sent off last Monday, and I hope are
before this come to hand safe
The great Dominion of Virg^a surely can repel 2000 Men.
More than that number were not embarked at New York.
Speculation here has arrived to such a height, and prices in
three weeks encreased 100 p C^t. This has made those
Vermins the Speculators become the object of resentment,