of the Council of Maryland. 373

of important Business which incessantly claim our Attention; no
Measures have been taken for building the Vessels directed, owing to
our being destitute of Money, and much of the Business cannot be
executed from the same Cause; we are pleased you abound with the
Materials and will very chear fully place that Business under your
Direction if you think you can accomplish it; but are apprehensive
that the want of Money an obstacle that impedes most of our
Measures, and will also stand in your Way and prevent your doing
any Thing effectual. As soon as the Acts of the last Session are
published they will be forwarded & in the Manner the Law directs.
It is impossible for us to ascertain with any Degree of Precision the
Quantity of Provision we shall want from your shore, but are certain
the whole that can be furnished will not exceed the Demands on us ;

April 29
Liber No. 78
p. 104

the only Account we have seen of the Action between the French and
british Fleets is published in the last Pensylvania Paper. We have
no official Account of the Engagement between General Greene and
Lord Cornwallis Reports that we think may be relied on, say, that
the Action was very severe and continued more than an Hour.
General Greene retreated thirteen Miles from the Field with the Loss
of four field Pieces and between two and three hundred Men killed
and wounded, the Loss of the Enemy doubled that Number which
made it a very dear bought Victory. General Greene remainded at
the Place to which he retreated three or four Days expecting to be
attacked; his Men in full Spirits and desirous to renew the Battle ;
but the Enemy retired. We have sent to the Lieutenant of Kent the
Cannon and military Stores agreeable to the list enclosed, one six
pound Field Piece and a four pound, one hundred and fifty six pound
Shot, one hundred and fifty four pound Shot, one hundred and fifty
Musquets and Accoutrements compleat, ten Barrels of musquet Pow-
der, one thousand flints, half a Ream of Cannon Cartridge Paper, two
Barrels of damaged Powder for the select Militia in their Exercise.

p. 105

Tuesday 3^d April 1781

Ordered that the western shore Treasurer pay to Charlotte Small
seven Pounds ten Shillings due her per Account passed bv the D. Aud.

April 3
Liber C. B.
No. 24
p. 66

[Council to Thomas Johnson, Esqr.]

We have received your Letter of the 30^th March respecting the
Continuance of the Convention Troops in this State, and entirely
agree with you in Sentiments; but as the least Evil we have deter-
mined to send them to Fort Frederick. We have wrote to Col. Wood
fully on the subject which he will communicate. Your Sentiments
are at all Times agreeable and desirable. The Marquis Fayette is
here. There was only one Action between the French and British at
the 16^th both suffered but the French retired to Rhode Island and the

April 3
Liber No. 78
p. 105