of the Council of Maryland. 365

That James Calhoun Esquire Commissary Gen^l of the Western
shore deliver to Mathew Ridley Esq^r £280...0...6 of Common Flour
for two hundred and seventy and half Flls of Baye five and a Quarter
pounds of thread and seventy one pair of thread Hose purchased of
him by this Board and delivered to M^r George Keeparts.
We hereby certify that the State of Maryland is indebted to Mess^rs
Ridley and Pringle in the sum of six hundred and eighty eight pounds
and four pence specie for Goods sold this Board the nineteenth day
of August last and delivered to George Keeports by our order.
The following Commission was issued to Matthew Ridley Esq^r
The State of Maryland To Matthew Ridley Esquire of Baltimore
Town Greeting. Be it known that reposing especial Trust and Confi-
dence in your Fidelity good Conduct and Attachment to the Rights
Liberties and Independence of America
We have appointed you Agent for this State and do hereby
authorize and empower you to obtain from the Courts of France and
Spain, or the Individuals of France, Spain or Holland, Loans of
Money, Arms, Ammunition and Cloathin^g for the State of Maryland,
and to do and perform transact and negotiate all other Business,
Matters and Things which we may commit to your care and Manage-
ment, agreeable to the Instructions now given, or that may be here-
after given you.
Given at Annapolis in Council this twenty eighth Day of March
Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and eighty one and in the
sixth year of our Independence.
M^r Ridley applied by Letter dated February the 9^th 1781 desiring
to be appointed Agent for this State in Europe.
Upon Question, carried in the Affirmative, I prayed Leave to enter
my Dissent. Because I am not convinced that the Board has sufficient
Power by Law to grant such a Commission as is desired; and Because
I think it would be more proper to refer the Business to the General
Assembly. Stephen West.

March 27
Liber C. B.
No. 24
p.63

[Council to David Poe, Esqr.]

We shall be much obliged to you to send a further Supply of eight
or ten waggon Loads of Flour, what was received this Day will be
expended on to-morrow or next Day at furthest

March 28
Liber No. 72
p.99

[Council to Mr. John Chalmers.]

There being an absolute Necessity to furnish the Troops here
immediately with a further Quantity of meat Provision you will
therefore without Delay continue to procure it under the Authority
already given.

Ibid.