of the Council of Maryland. 267

Revival of the Pennsylvania Act, and the Conduct of the President
and Privy Council of Delaware, we must have Recourse to your
good Offices. We therefore solicit the Favor of you to make the
necessary Enquiries and to transmit us the earliest authentic Infor-
mation for our Government in the Premises

Liber C C

No. 22

Monday 28^th August 1780.

Present as on Saturday.

Commission of Letters of Marque and Reprisal issued to James
Tate Commander of the Schooner Rambler 70 Tons burthen, navi-
gated by 25 men mounting 10 Carriage Guns, belonging to Daniel
Bowley & Samuel Smith of Balt. Town
Ordered that Capt. George Keeports deliver to Mess" Thorough-
good Smith Daniel Bowley, Stephen Steward jun^r and Samuel
Smith, the number of arms, & Quantity of Ammunition necessary
for arming and Equiping the men and Vessels now about to be
employed in expelling the Enemy from the Chesapeake and Protect-
ing the Trade of Virginia and Maryland, taking their Receipts
therefor

That the Collector of the Tax for Somerset County pay to Henry
Jackson Esq^r Commissary for said County, Two thousand Pounds
to be Accounted for
That John Bullen deliver to Frederick Green one of the Public
Horses to go to Baltimore

Liber C B
No. 23
p. 186

[Council to Colo. Robt. T. Hooe, Alexandria]

Sir The great Injuries sustained by the mercantile Interests of
Maryland & Virginia and the, almost, entire Interruption of the
Navigation of the Bay, by the Privateers and other Vessels of the
Enemy, have induced us, in Conjunction with the Merchants of Balti-
more Town, to endeavour to capture or clear the Bay of them. For
this Purpose, the state armed Boats two Brigs and some Barges are
to be sent down: but as the Enemy's Vessels are numerous and we
wish to have such a Force as will certainly answer the intended Pur-
pose, if you or any of the mercantile Gentlemen of your City, have
any Vessels that would assist in this Business, they might render not
only essential Service to the Trade, but also to the United States,
as the Transportation of Provisions from Virginia, is totally stopped
and our Army is much in want of them. Our Vessels will go down
the Bay some Time next Week. This Business ought not to be made
public. The enclosed Letter to Governor Jefferson, on this Subject,
we beg you to forward by Express.

Liber C C

No. 22
p. 163