of the Council of Maryland, 1778-1779. 99

and one of the Lieutenants with two Field Pieces furnished
with Ammunition and Grape, to join the Militia ordered as a
Guard to the Public Stores there. The Service will be but
short. Not a Moment is to be lost. Every Thing must be
sent by Water and, if a Vessel cannot be got without, one
must be pressed. We shall send two Field Pieces from
hence, but if you have any in Baltimore that will answer better,
use them and return those. We are &^ca
Maj. Nath^l Smith

[Council to G. Keeports.]

In Council Annapolis 20^th May 1778.
Sir.
In Consequence of a Letter just now received from his
Excellency Gen^l Washington, we have ordered a Number of
Militia to the Head of Elk as a Guard to the Stores there;
many of them will be without Arms: you are therefore to put
up immediately in Cases, five hundred Stand of the best you
have, a like Number of Cartouch Boxes and, if you have them,
Canteens, ten thousand Cartridges, if you have so many, suit-
able for the Musquets, or, if you have not so many, then
what you have, and three thousand good Flints. Not one
Moment is to be lost, and you must call on Maj^r Smith for
Assistance and hire, if necessary. We send the Plater and
Dolphin to receive these Arms &^ca We are Sir &^ca
Cap^t Geo. Keeports

[Circular to County Lieutenants.]
(Circular) In Council Annapolis 20^th May 1778.

Sir.
We have this Moment received a Letter from his Excellency
Gen^l Washington requesting a Number of our Militia to be
immediately drawn together in the Neighbourhood of the
Head of Elk, as an effectual Guard to the Stores there: his
Reasons are important and decisive and his Requisition urged
with great Earnestness. This Service will be of very short
continuance and more effectual perhaps, in the common cause,
than twice or even thrice their Number at Camp. We therefore
entreat your Exertions to send forward as quick as possible two
full Companies of your Militia to join the other Militia which we
have ordered. The Officers and Men may be assured they
can render their Country no greater Service than by chearfully
and speedily marching; if you cannot get them out in a more

C. C.