of the Council of Maryland. 167

Payment of the five Pound Tax. Our Treasury is empty and, unless
the Collectors exert themselves and pay in the Money as soon as
received it will not be in our Power to conduct the Public Business
for without Money nothing can be effected. The Necessity of ob-
taining a large Sum for the Officers to enable them to bear their
Expences on their March to the Southward, we are satisfied, is suffi-
cient to prompt you to use the utmost Diligence in Collecting.

[Council to the Commissioners of Baltimore Town.]

Gentlemen One Half of the Maryland Division are now at this
City, on their March to the Southward, the other is daily expected.
Before they can proceed, it is absolutely necessary that two hundred
thousand Pounds should be distributed among the Officers, to enable
them to defray their Expences on their March. Congress have re-
solved that the Officers be indemnified in the Loss they have sus-
tained by the Depreciation of the Money, but cannot comply with
their Resolution at this Time, being destitute of Money. The General
Assembly impressed with the Necessity of Supplying the Officers
with a Sum adequate to the above Purpose, and revolving in their
Minds the exhausted State of the Treasury and the Want of other
Means to procure Money, found themselves constrained to have re-
course to the Expedient of Borrowing and have authorized and
requested us to make Application to the Inhabitants of Baltimore
Town for a Loan of two hundred thousand Pounds. If the Expedi-
ent should fail, we cannot say what will be the Result, but the most
dreadful Consequences are to be apprehended, from detaining the
Troops here, and the Officers cannot march without Money. The
Inhabitants of Baltimore must receive the highest Satisfaction from
the Idea Suggested by the Resolve that the Treasury is exhausted
and all other Resources to procure Money fail the Virtue, Magnanim-
ity and patriotism of Baltimore may be depended on, to extricate
the State from its Embarrasments and Difficulties at the most criti-
cal Conjuncture. We have candidly represented our Situation with-
out Colouring or Exaggeration and flatter ourselves that will be a
Sufficient Inducement with them to render the Assistance required.
The Money lent is to be repaid within three Weeks. We request you
to convene the Inhabitants of the Town immediately and to lay this
Letter and the enclosed Resolves before them. If you think the
Money will be lent keep the Express and send it down by him.

Liber C C

No. 22
p. 101

Tuesday 9^th May 1780.

Present as yesterday.
Commission of Letters of Marque and Reprisal issued to William
Waud Commander of the Schooner Laurens, 50 Tons Burthen, navi-

May 9
Liber C B
No. 23
p. ISO