Letters to the Council. 487

on my part, and therefore I could not but, direct the Commissary of
Prisioners on Your Excellency's Application and the Board of
War's opinion that it was also warranted by a late Act of Congress
respecting Prisoners in the like predicament, to propose to the
Enemy the Exchange of U Col^o Ramsay for U Col^o Conolly. For
my own part I have wished to see the Exchanges of prisoners con-
ducted on the broadest & most general footing, in the order of their
captivity, as being the most equitable mode, and that all taken from
the Enemy whether by the United or Individual States, should be
considered as one, common Stock, for the common relief of Ours
according to this Rule. This has been the case with respect to the
Prisoners made by the Army in every instance of exchanges under
my direction; but the system having not entirely prevailed, Mary-
land has certainly the same right to benefit her Officers by those
of her own capture, that other States had. And the indulgence has
not been exercised in any instance in favor of a more deserving
Officer than Col^o Ramsay. He set out for New York yesterday and
would carry with him the proposition for his release.
I have the Honor to be with great respect & esteem Y^r Excellency's
Most Obed^t Servant

Brown
Book No. i

[H. Hollingsworth, Head of Elk, to Gov. Lee in Council]

Gentlemen Your several letters of the 29^th April 1^st & 2^nd May
came duly to hand by the first, I received your orders on the Com-
missioners of Baltimore & Washington Counties for Forage, 30
Bb^u Pork & ten Thousand pounds by M^r Wormsley, and by the other
30 B^bls beef and pork Captⁿ Price,
have communicated them to Col^o Gunby Commandant who is
Indefatigable in forwarding the service and writes your Honors on
the occasion, as the first Division is not yet embarked (tho' I expect
it this day) I cant say how many Vessells may be yet wanted but
from the number already obtained suppose we have near enough,
and as I mean to urge that the second division should follow the
first as soon as possible suppose it may be proper to stop the Im-
pressing Vessells, as there appears to be enough already impressed
if they were all forward, and if they should not come forward in
time we shall send the Troops down to them by those we have. I
would have your Excellency and Honors take no further Trouble
about the Provision for this division as we have enough for the
present movement but fear Salt provisions will be wanted for the
Northern Army. Wheat and flour seem to be pretty plenty. My
orders are from Gen^l Guest to order on the 2^d Division as soon as
the first are embarked which shall be strictly observed. Col^o Gunby
writes you regarding the Signals and Troops

May 4