of the Council of Maryland. 29

[Council to James Calhoun Esqr.]

Sir. Your Letters of the 26^th and 30^th Ult^o were laid before the
General Assembly with a Recommendation from this Board to revive
and amend the Law for impressing Vessels &^ca and to make the
necessary Provision for the quartering and otherwise accommodat-
ing the Troops of our Allies. When the necessary Regulations are
determined upon by the Assembly you may rely, we shall advise you
of them; as yet, nothing has been done. We have not the least Objec-
tion to your making Use of the Barracks and wish them better cal-
culated for the Number of Sick and wounded you expect

Liber C C
No. 22
p. 42

[Council to Richard Dallam Esqr.]

Sir. By a Letter just received from Col^o Blaine dated the 1^st Inst,
we are informed you are about to deliver over to M^r Smith, the
French Agent, all the Flour you have on Hand. This is a Step we
did not expect, nor can we consent to it by any Means, whilst our
Army, as we have great Reason to believe, is in Danger of suffering
by the Want of Bread Provisions and the French Agent has secured
at least the Quantity he was permitted to purchase. You will without
Loss of Time, be pleased to deliver your Flour into the Hands of
M^r Giles, the present Continental Agent, who has Orders to forward
it with the utmost Speed.

[Council to His Excellency The Cheval'r. de la Luzerne, Minister
plenipo. to his Most Christian Majesty.]

We were honored with your Excellency's Letter of the 17^th ult^o
The polite Assurance that you received Pleasure when you under-
stood the Commander of his most Christian Majesty's Squadron
had made Choice of this Station because you could rely on us for
Succour, communicated the highest Satisfaction. Such is our Incli-
nation to render every Assistance in our Power to the Troops of
our illustrious Ally, that nothing was necessary to prompt us to an
Exertion for their Relief, but a Communication of their Wants and
sufferings'. Our Duty seconded by our Attachment to Friends who
have bravely fought and bled in the Cause of Liberty, lead us to
consider their Distresses as our Own, and make our Exertions to
provide the Sick and wounded with suitable Lodgings and proper
Sustenance, the most pleasing Task. Victualling the Squadron is
certainly an important Object and demands our utmost Endeavours
to enable Mons^r DeGrasse or any other French Commander, to pro-
cure full and Speedy Supplies for the Use of the Fleet. The Con-
gratulation of your Excellency, is flattering. Convinced that America
is interested in the judicious Appointments of your King, it gives
us infinite Pleasure in felicitating you and United America, on your
Excellency's Appointment, which alone can console us for the Loss

p. 43