of the Council of Maryland. 389

[Council to Col. John Wood.]

We expected before we received yours of the 7^th Instant that the
Convention Troops were on their March to Fort Frederick, indeed
such is the Complexion of Affairs that we think their Removal ought
not to be deferred a Moment under any Pretext whatever and there-
fore most earnestly solicit you to have them sent on immediately
without regarding Difficulties that may hereafter occur at that Post.
M^r Murdock is well supplied with Provision and will furnish what
is necessary for the Guard and the Prisoners on their way; to enable

April 10
Liber No. 78
p. 119

you to bear the Expence of the Officer to be sent with the British
Officers to Connecticut, we have enclosed you an Order for
on the Collector of Frederick County, and hope your Indulgence
to the Officers to remain until 25^th to adjust their Affairs will be
revoked and Measures taken for their immediate Departure. If the
Officers should complain of your deviating from your Permission,
our Direction may be mentioned to justify you and Silence their
Complaints. We cannot give Surgeon Carroll Leave to visit his
Relation on East Ridge. As Col. Rawlings by Appointment of the
Board of war on our Recommendation has always had the Prisoners
of War at Fort Frederick under his Care and Direction, we wish
if you can do it consistent with Propriety that the Convention Troops
when removed to that Post may be put under his Superintendence
and Authority, as he could from his Acquaintance and Intimacy with
most of the People of that Country provide for their Support better
than any stranger possibly could.

p. 120

[Council to Mr. Stephen Steward.]
We want a Galley built immediately and wish to treat with you
on that Subject.

Ibid.

[Council to Col. Ware.]
We sent to the Care of Col Beall of Prince Georges County
Seventy five Stand of Arms with Accoutrements compleat, requesting
him to forward them to you, we now send you by John Alien Thomas
Esq^r twenty five Stand of Arms with Accoutrements compleat, two
quarter Casks of Musquet Powder, five hundred Gun Flints and two
Quire Cartridge Paper with Directions to have conveyed to you with
all possible Dispatch. You'll order out such Numbers of the Militia
of your County as are necessary to protect the Inhabitants from the
Ravages of the Enemy and apply to the Commissary of Charles for
Provisions for them. We hereby empower you to impress such
Vessels with their Hands Carriage Horses and other draft Cattle
Geers and Drivers as you may judge necessary and proper for the
Service, to perform Carriage mount the Militia or go on Expresses,
You will also remove all the Horses Stock or Provisions from any
Neck or Shore where there may appear to you a Probability of their
falling into the Hands of the Enemy.

Ibid.