228 Journal and Correspondence

Liber C C

No. 22

Quantum, is far from being inconsiderable. The 8^th Ins^t we sent by
Express 200,000 Dollars to the Continental Treasurer and wrote the
Delegates of this State on the Subject of the Requisition of the 19^th
May. It is with the utmost Regret we inform Congress of our
Inability to comply with the earnest and pressing Application. Noth-
ing could in the least alleviate the poignant Anxiety we feel from

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contemplating the Miseries that must ensue on a Dissolution of
the Army or a Suspension of the Operations of the present Cam-
paign, but a Consciousness that the Failure of the Supply required
is not imputable to Supineness or unwillingness in this State to
render every Assistance, but to the Want of Time to execute the
Laws and in some Measure to the Scarcity of Money to answer
the various Demands incessantly made on the People to support
Government and to provide Men, Money and Provision for the
Army of the States. We can assure Congress that the full sum
required, will be forwarded to the Treasury of the United States,
as procured and that our Attention will not be remitted, but every
Exertion made to facilitate the Procurement of it. The Expedient of
borrowing has been resorted to with such Frequency and our Credit
has received such a Wound from our not complying punctually
with our Engagements, that we can expect to derive little or no
Relief from the Adoption of it in future. We have transmitted
herewith a Copy of the Act for sinking the Quota required by Con-
gress of this State of the Bills of Credit emitted by Congress.

[Council to Adam Fischer]

Sir We received your Letter of the 20^th Ins^t and have sent you
an Order on the Collector of Frederick County for six thousand
Pounds to be expended in the Hiring or purchasing of Waggons and
Horses. You are, if possible, to procure them on Hire, and have a
Power to make a Contract to pay the Wages in Paper Money, To-
bacco, or Specie as may be most advantageous to the Public, not
allowing in Specie more than at the Rate of twenty Shillings per
Day for the Hire of a Waggon, four Horses and a Driver and in
Paper Money or Tobacco, in the same Proportion. If you cannot
hire the Waggons Horses and Drivers required, you are to pur-
chase what is deficient and pay for them in the Manner above men-
tioned, but for your more particular Direction, we refer you to the
Law. You are confined by the Law to Frederick County and ought
not to interfere with the Contractors of the other Counties because
such a Competition will certainly and unavoidably enhance the

p. I3S

Value. If you go into another State to hire or purchase, we think you
will not be allowed for any extraordinary Trouble or Expence in-
curred thereby