of the Council of Maryland. 235

chase 3000 Barrels of Flour to be exported to some of the Spanish
Colonies in the West Indies. We have complied with the Recom-
mendation of Congress & given Permission to M^r William Smith
of Baltimore Town, the Agent appointed by M^r Morris who is en-
trusted by the Minister, with the Management of this Business to
purchase the Quantity above Specified. This Permission interferes
with the Mode chalked out by the Legislature to obtain Supplies
for the Continental Army and, we are apprehensive, will procras-
tinate the Procurement of them, 'til that Quantity is furnished and
expose us to the Artifices and subtle Contrivances of Engrossers and
other designing Men, whose Attention to the Public Purchases and
inordinate Love of Gain will prompt them to buy up the Wheat and
Flour to sell to the public Purchasers whereby the present Prices (far

Liber C C

No. 22

from being moderate) will be greatly augmented. Our earnest
Desire to give every Assistance to render the Military Operations in
the West Indies effectual and Defference for the Opinion of Congress
and Minister of France determined us to give the Permission and
hazard the Inconveniences already suggested. We cannot refrain
from intimating to Congress, that, if this State should fail in sup-
plying their Quota of Flour for the Continental Army and the
French Marine, such Failure cannot, justly, be ascribed to Inefficacy
in our Laws, or want of Exertion in this Board, but to Inability
arising from our gratifying the numerous Demands, unexpectedly
made, on this State.

[Council to Capt. Peter Clarke]

Sir By the late Acts of Assembly to procure Troops, your Case
is not considered and, though there may be a Hardship in your being
compelled to contribute your Quota, to procure a Substitute; yet we
cannot see how it is to be avoided, as you are neither expressly nor
impliedly exempted by the Laws.

[Council to Delegates in Congress]

Gent. We have enclosed you a Copy of a Letter from the Baron
DeKalb, addressed to this Board. He represents the Maryland
Division to be in great Distress for want of Provisions, the scarcity
of which will prevent them from approaching nearer the Enemy's
Lines, unless proper Measures are taken to supply them. We esteem
it necessary that this Representation should be laid before Congress,
in Order that some Mode may be pointed out to furnish them imme-
diately, which is impracticable, by this State, the Distance being so
great, and, if it could be done the Expence would be enormous. It,
certainly, would not be inconvenient to the States of North Carolina
& Virginia to provide for their Subsistence. We have, upon all
Occasions exerted ourselves to take Care of the Troops of other

p. 140