of the Council of Maryland, 1778-1779. 435

We have lately directed, that such Flour as was in Danger
shou'd be carried to Christeen and have wrote to M^r Morris to
give Orders, as to the Disposition of it; we had given these
Orders before the Receipt of a Letter from the Board of War,
which recommended the Removal of all Stores which lay in
unsecure Places. I have been thus particular to shew that
from the Variety of Orders given, none of them can reason-
ably be expected to have been punctually & systematically
executed, the prior being in Execution after the posterior had
been given in Philadelphia and before they could possibly go
through our Hands and reach those who we employ. 1 am
much surprized that there should be any Doubt of Part of the
Flour having been purchased by M^r Gilpin, because M^r Morris
mentioned, as an Irregularity, one of our Purchasers having
bought Flour in Philad^a I have already accounted to him for
the Rise of the Flour, on much truer Principles than the injur-
ious Suspicion that it is owing to the bad Conduct of our Pur-
chasers. I would advise you and M^r Gilpin to take the Affi-
davits of such Persons as are acquainted with the Facts or
rather, if you can get them, to go with you to Philad^a; the most
that can be made of M^r Gilpin's Conduct, in purchasing May's
Flour, a Part of which was in Philad^a is, that as to such Part,
the Purchase was irregular which yet does not appear so clear
to me, and if that and the Flour you sent to Philad^a under our
Orders, has occasioned your Brother's present Trouble, I can-
not but think those who have treated him as you represent,
will be sorry they have proceeded to such Lengths on an ill
founded Suspicion. I am not acquainted with M^r Gov^r Morris;
but I would have you lay this Matter before him, his Rank and
Character induce me to think he will contribute all he can to
discover the Truth and prevent your Brother's Suffering for
receiving the Flour when no Body else would. As to its being
the Loss of the State, I have no Idea of it, it was purchased
for the Continent and I have no Doubt but every Body
who has had any Thing to do with it, has acted as they
thought most to the Interest of the Cont^r. You would do well
to identify the Flour, to prevent Suspicions of giving a false
Colouring to any. I hardly know what to say as to the future,
its being removed or not, ought to depend on the Fleet's
being gone out of the Bay or not, we have contrary Reports
I am &^ca
Col^o Henry Hollingsworth

C. C.

[Council to C. Rumsey.]

In Council Annapolis I^st June 1779
Sir
We are very sorry that there should be any Hesitation or

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