476 Journal and Correspondence.

Red Book
No. 7

-. the Troops now on their way to the Southward. It was expected
that the whole Maryland Line, the Delaware Regiment, a Regiment
of Artillery, & the Infantry of Major Lee's corps would have em-
barked at the Head of Elk & proceeded by water as far as Peters-
burgh in Virginia; But as this will depend upon the operations of
the Enemy in Chesapeak, it is not improbable that they may pro-
ceed all the way by Land, in which case they will necessarily be
greatly indebted to the Executive of your State to expedite their
march towards Petersburg. Should the Troops not go down the
Chesapeak, we are aware of much difficulty on account of Waggons,
with which they can be but very partially supplied here; the residue
to enable them to prosecute their march from Petersburg being to
be furnished in Virginia, and collected at that place agreeably to
orders already given, from a full expectation that the navigation of
the Bay, would not be interrupted.
It gives us pain that the Continental embarrassments, arising from
the want of money, obliges us so often to trouble the Executives of
the States; but without their aid in emergencies depending on the
various events of war, the most fatal delays & distresses will ensue.
And it is with real Satisfaction, grounded on the chearful & con-
stant exertions of the State of Maryland, we can assure ourselves
that nothing practicable which the public necessities may require, will
be omitted by your Excellency, & the honble Council on the present
occasion.
We have the honor to be with the highest respect y^r Excellency's
most obed^t Most Humble Serv^t by ord

April 2 1

[H. Hollingsworth D. Q. M. Gl. Head of Elk to the Council]
Gentlemen Inclosed is a Report of the Flour Wheat Rye, Corn
Oats & C^a Received at this post in this Month, as well from the sev-
eral State Commissioners, as from the State of Virginia and sent
on to Christeen on its way to Philad³ Camp & C^t the flour is all
sent forward the Forage is not so forward. Occasioned by the want
of Baggs which I am not at present able to purchase for want of
Cash, we are the more in want of Baggs, as one of the Continental
Brigades of ten teams with about 200 Baggs has been in Queen Anns
and Talbot Counties Collecting Grain for this State, since the io^th
of March. I have applied to my principles in Office, for Cash to
puchase Bags in Lew of those and am put off with a desire to apply
to this State not only for this but all other expenses accruing by the
procuring Manufacturing and forwarding the supplies of this State
(while within the State) as also for Casks and Nails for the flour,
your Excellencys and Honors, will observe by the letters, which the
bearer M^r Wright has with him that the Millers are continually apply-
ing to me for those articles which I have heretofore supply'd them
with in part and also paid them for Waggoning the State Wheat, to