of the Council of Maryland. 279

[Council to Rich'd Dallam Esqr., & Baruch Williams & John
Voorhees Esqr except the first Sentence]
Sir We received yours of the 30^th Ult^o and are exceedingly con-
cerned to find your principal indeed almost only Reliance for obtain-
ing Supplies of Provision is on what you may receive for the I5£
Tax.

Liber C C

No. 22

This State having fallen very considerably short, for the two last
Months, of the Supplies, particularly flour, which were required and
have been expected by Congress and the Committee of Co-operation
it is incumbent on us to exert ourselves not only to make up that
Deficiency immediately, but likewise to continue the Supplies for the
Time to come. In this the Reputation of this State is deeply con-
cerned as well as the general Interest of America at this particular
Crisis: we must therefore again request your immediate and most
diligent Attention to this Business. By Letters received from the
Commissary General, the Committee of Co-operation and from his
Excellency the Commander in Chief, a Dissolution of Part of the
Army and other very disgraceful Consequences may be avoided, if
we are enabled to inform the Commissary that he may expect con-
siderable Supplies in a short Time. We are sensible Sir, in order
to execute this Business to Effect you must be powerfully assisted ;
we shall therefore explain our Situation as fully as we can, by which
you may, in some Measure, regulate your Conduct. The Assessment
of Tobacco is to be collected in this Month & probably all of it will
be in the Treasury by the Time limited, by the Law, a considerable
Part before. This will enable us to raise a considerable Sum of
Money and may be reckoned a certain Fund and we flatter ourselves
the new Money, which is now printing under the Act of Assembly
to enable the Treasurer of the Western Shore to draw and sell Bills
of Exchange of the Western Shore to draw and sell Bills of Ex-
change &^ca will in a great Measure, assist your Purchase. In Addi-
tion to this, we have Reason to expect the new Bills for this State
down immediately from Congress, further Means may arise from
them. We do not know any good Reason why the new Money should
not circulate readily at 40 for i, as the State is to receive it at the
same Rate, at least we cannot doubt but some Part of the Pur-
chase May be made with it. Under our present Difficulties and the
absolute Necessity of supplying the Army immediately, we request
you to procure the Flour on the best Terms you can. Pray let us
have your Answer and continue to inform us of your Proceedings

[Council to Messrs. Isaac & Abm. Van Bibber]
Gent" Your two Letters of the 4^th & 6^th Ins^t we this Day received
and wish it was in our Power to furnish you with the Military Stores
you require but we have not more than six 4 & 6^tt Cannon Our State

p. I/I