of the Council of Maryland, 1778-1779. 439

being defeated near Charles Town, with the loss of thirteen
hundred killed & taken we sincerely wish it may be true, but
at present it wants Confirmation. We have exerted ourselves
to get as many Arms sent to our State as we cou'd, but fear
the Number will fall far short of what you may expect or want
tho we flatter ourselves that you will not be under the disagree-
able Necessity of useing them. In Compliance with your
Request we applied to the General, who has sent down
Brigadier Gist to take Command of our Militia, inclosed in his
Excell^cys Letter to us. We have the honor to be with the most
perfect Respect Yr. Excellency's
most ob^t Servants
Geo Plater W^m Carmichael I. Henry, Dan of S^t Tho^s Jenifer

We have just obtained an Order for 250 Stand Arms in M^r
Wests Hands

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Wednesday 2^d June 1779

Present as on Yesterday
Ordered that the western shore Treasurer pay to John
Chever Thirty six Pounds seven shillings and six pence per
Acc^t passed by the Dep^y Aud. and also the further Sum of
Five Pounds on Account.
That the said Treasurer pay to George Gordon Twenty
three Pounds six Shillings due him p Account passed by the
Dep^y Aud.

C. B.

[Gist to Gov. Johnson.]

Baltimore 2^d June 1779
I wrote your Excellency last night p express since which I
am Informd General Buchanan has ordered the signals of
Alarm for the Country Militia to assemble.
The want of men to Garrison this post leaves it in a very
defenceless situation: whereby it is subjected to a surprise
almost at any time, and as the assembling all the Militia at
once (except in cases of absolute necessity) will lay the Inhabi-
tants under peculiar disadvantages, I would beg leave to
submit to your Judgement and consideration the propriety of
Garrisoning this post with one or two Classes, to be relieved
regularly as occasion may require, this method may have the
Salutary consequences of Impressing a proper Idea of Military
discipline on the minds of the people and in time render them
capable of opposing an equal Number of Veterans.
I am with due deference & Respect
Y^r Mo Humble Serv^t
M: Gist
His Excellency Thomas Johnson Esq^r

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