of the Council of Maryland, 1778-1779. 533

that such Manifest contains a true Account of the Lading of
the said Brigantine and that no other Provisions have been to
their knowledge or Belief or shall be with their Privity and
Consent Laden or put on board such Brigantine other than
such as are for the Subsistance of her Crew and have been or
shall be allowed and Permitted by the Naval Officer and that
they will use their Utmost Endeavors to deliver the whole
Cargoe of Provisions aforesaid to the proper Person or
Persons to receive the same for the Use of the Fleet and
Army of his most Christian Majesty; and the Agent Employed
in directing the Loading of the said Brigantine also making
Oath that the Provisions mentioned in the said Manifest are
Shipped and Designed to be transported in the said
Brigantine for the Use of the Navy and Army of his most
Christian Majesty and for no other purpose to the best of his
Knowledge and Belief and also the Like Permission granted
to the Brigantine The Lady DeMeralles to Lade as aforesaid

C. B.

[Washington to Jay (?)]

Extract of a Letter from Gen^l Washington, dated West
point Sept^r 20^th 1779
Since writing the foregoing, I have rec^d the following intelli-
gence from a person in whose information I place consider-
able dependance.
" The enemy are still engaged in strengthening the City
on all parts, they have raised three lines all pickitted in the
rear of the City across the Island, are still employed at their
Fort at Brooklyn. The light horse are assembled in force at
Brooklyn ferry where Vessels are lying at Anchor to take
them on Board a large quantity of Hay packet I put on board
for their use. 55 transports have watered and anchored in the
East river and bay more taking in water. From the best
accounts near eight thousand men are preparing to embark,
their destination unknown but generally believed for the
West Indies or Carolina. Three frigates cruizing out to
discover the first approaches of a French fleet. By accounts
rec^d last Thursday from Jamaica, the inhabitants had removed
their stores and Women and Children to the mountains being
fearful of the approach of the French. A deserter from
Sandy hook reports that part of the fleet that sailed last
Monday with the 44^th and two Hessian Regiments had put
back in a storm, they say they were bound for Halifax."
This intelligence dated the 17^th Ins^t

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