246 Proceedings and Correspondence

December 19
Liber No. 78
p. 16

[Council to General Gist, the Commanding officer at Baltimore.]

Two small Privateers are now in the Bay committing great De-
predations on the Property of the Inhabitants of this State, we wish
to prevent their Ravages and for this Purpose have engaged of M^r
Wallace the armed Sloop Porpus to go in Pursuit of them, if M^r
Steward, who has the Management of this Vessel concurs, we
request you to furnish him with the Number of Men he may think
necessary to Act as Mariners, the Advantages of this Expedition
will entirely depend on Dispatch and Secrecy, we therefore request
you to give M^r Steward your Assistance

Ibid,
p. 17

[Council to James Calhoun, Esqr.]

We have an Offer from Mess^rs Wallace and Davidson of the
Sloop Porpus to go down the Bay against some of the Enemies
Vessels that are committing Depredations on the Property of the
Inhabitants of this State on our furnishing her with Provisions
Stores, we shall be obliged to you to deliver to M^r Stephen Steward
such Provisions as he may apply for the use of the said Vessel.

Ibid.

[Council to Stephen Steward, Esqr.]

Mess^rs Wallace and Davidson have so far as they are interested
in the Porpus, offered her to this Board, for the Purpose of going
down the Bay a few Days, in Pursuit of two small Privateers now
committing Depredations on the Inhabitants near the Mouth of
Choptank River. We hope your Consent may not be withheld as
it is probable these Pickaroons may be captured with Ease by a
Vessel of her Force, if speedily and secretly fitted out for the Pur-
pose; should you agree to lend her on this Occasion. We beg of you
to exert yourself to the utmost improcuring Men and Stores for
the Expedition at the Expence of the State. We are fully of Opinion
with Mess^rs Wallace and Davidson that it would be good Policy to
give the Prizes to the Officers and Men, and would hereby engage
to obtain a Resolution of the General Assembly to relinquish the
Claim which the State might have in their Favor. General Gist or in
his Absence the Officer commanding in Baltimore will furnish
thirty Soldiers upon Delivery of the enclosed Letter, to act as
Mariners on Board the Porpus and M^r Calhoun M^r Donnellan and
Captain Keepots will furnish the necessary Provisions Arms Am-
munition &^ca

December 20
Liber C. B.
No. 24
p. 17

Wednesday 20^th December 1780

Ordered that the western shore Treasurer pay to John Callahan
three pounds six shillings and seven pence half penny of the new
Emission in lieu of one hundred and thirty three pounds five shil-
lings due him per Account passed by the Dep^y Aud.