of the Council of Maryland. 271

[Council to General Buchanan]

Colonel Stone has just received a Letter from M^r Hooe an Ex-
tract of which is enclosed. It is most probable that the Enemy will
visit us as soon as they have accomplished their object in Virginia,
which we are satisfied is to plunder, harrass and distress our People,
what induces us to conclude that to be the Design is the Character
of the General and the Men he commands being composed of Refu-
gees and new Levies from New York. We think every Preparation
ought to be made to put us in a proper State of Resistance in Case
our State should be invaded and every Precaution taken to prevent
the military Stores from falling into the Hands of the Enemy. We
have directed M^r Keeports to have the Carriage belonging to the
Cannon repaired as speedily as possible, and if any of them from
Decay should be irreparable to have new ones made. It will be
proper to remove all the heavy Cannon except three or four to be
left at the Fort, which is not fit for field Pieces, to Elk Ridge Land-
ing immediately. We desire you to order the whole Militia of your
County to put themselves in Readiness to march at a minutes Warn-
ing. The small Arms ought to be examined and cleaned fit for
Service and every Step taken and Disposition made to enable us to
make a vigorous and obstinate Stand, at this critical and trying Con-
juncture. We cannot supply you with Money at this Time and
trust that no Difficulty will be made on that Account for the people
employed by the Public may rely on being amply rewarded and fully
compensated for every Service, and they may be reminded that their
Liberty Property and every thing they esteem and hold dear de-
pends on their Assistance and Exertions. We wish you would give
M^r Keeports every aid to execute our Orders.

January 11
Liber No. 78
p. 33

[Council to General Gist]

The Governor and Council will be glad to see you as soon as it is
convenient having received some interesting Intelligence

Ibid.
p. 34

Friday 12^th January 1781

Ordered That John Fenwick Collector of St. Marys County pay
to Joseph Ford Purchaser of Horses for said County Two thou-
sand four hundred pounds to be by him Accounted for.
That the western shore Treasurer pay to Capt Jonathan Sellman
of the 4^th Regim^t and Lieut. George Jacobs of the 6^th Regim^t each,
Thirty Pounds of the new Emission agreeably to a Resolve of the
Gen^l Assembly of the 30 Dec^r last.
That the said Treasurer deliver to Col^o Henry Hollingsworth
two hundred and fifty Pounds of the same Emission to be delivered
over to Baruch Williams Commissary for Cecil County on Account.

January 12
Liber C. B.
No. 24
p. 27