Letters to the Council. 477

the Mills, but on settling my accounts with the Quarter Master
General up to the tenth of March (which I did very lately) those ex-
pences are Objected to, as being out of the Department and belonging
to this State, I must therefore beg the favour, of your Excellency &
Honors that I may be Instructed and strengthn'd so as to be able
to forward this Service, so far my Credit has supported it, but it
will become Feeble in a short time if not supported, Certificates will
neither pay for Nails, Waggonage or Casks, three Essential
articles manufacturing and forwarding Wheat and Flower I am this
moment served with the Inclos'd Express, from the Board of War,
tho' I received a Letter Yesterday from that Hon^ble Board (directly
contrary) as I have not Vessells sufficient for this service here, have
sent Express to George Town Newtown and Baltimore for the Craft
of those Places, and all others that may be there. I must Rely on
your Excellency and Honors, for your support and Assistance, and
also to keep look out Boats down the Bay, as there is no doubt, but
the Enemy know of this Minuver, and may attempt to Circumvent
it, pray send me some Cash, and the Accounts against this State shall
come down as soon as in my power, but at present I am much
thronged

April 21

[Edmund Jennings, Brussels, to Gov. Lee]
Sir Having just received a Letter from a Friend, that informs
me, that the State of Maryland has done me the Honour to nom-
inate me, among other Gentlemen, as a proper person, Subject to the
Choice of his Excellency M^r Franklin, to sell their Stock now stand-
ing in the English Funds, & transmit the same; I take the Liberty of
addressing myself to your Excellency, to assure you, I receive this
mark of my native Countries Confidence in the most sensible manner.
Nothing can give me an higher Pleasure then to find my warm
wishes & poor Endeavours, to serve the Common Interest meet with
a public approbation, if I wanted any thing to Stimulate me to the
Discharge of my Duty, & inspire me with a fresh love to my Country,
& to the Cause of Liberty & Virtue, this Testimony from these,
who are actuated by those great Principles would be a Sufficient
motive. I know not whether his Excellency M^r Franklin will not
find a more proper person among the other Gentlemen, nominated
to Him for his Choice, than I am; but still my sense of the Honor
done me by the State of my Native Country, & of the obliging In-
tentions of my particular acquaintance & Friends will ever make me
bear in my Memory this mark of approbation in the most grateful
manner

By this opportunity you will receive from many the particular
State of Europe at this Juncture which is so favorable to the Common
Cause as can be wished the neighboring unprincipled Island is
brought to the lowest Condition rent & torn within by religious &
civil Distractions caused by its malicious Attempt against the United

April 22
Red Book
No. 29
Letter
No. 3