394 Proceedings and Correspondence

April 12
Liber No. 78
p. 124

the Lieutenant of Prince George's County one hundred and ninety
three Stand of Arms with Accoutrements compleat, which is a large
Proportion of what we have, but on your Application and considering
the Spirit and Zeal of the Militia of Prince George's County, we
have gone beyond what is the common Proportion and sent thirty
Stand more with Accoutrements and fifty Spare Cartridge Boxes.
We approve of arming thirty of the Militia to act as Horsemen and
think they render very great Services, but we have it not in our
Power to furnish them with Swords.

Ibid.

[Council to Joshua Beall, Esqr.]

We have sent you by this opportunity an additional Number of
thirty Horse to serve in your County, as they will answer on Emer-
gencies to alarm the Country much better than Foot, and whenever
we may be able to equip them, we shall do it with Pleasure, but at
present it is not in our Power.

p. 125

[Council to Marquis La Fayette.]

We were honored with your Letter of the 10^th Instant, a sufficient
Number of Militia may be always collected to deter the Marines of
the armed Vessel and Privateers from landing and repel them if they
should, which makes us perfectly easy on their Account, and although
we coincide with [you] in opinion, while the British continue superior
on the water, their Advantages are such [that] our Attempts to make
opposition at any particular Point may be rendered negatory by their
changing their Design, and carrying on their operations else where
yet we must suggest that some Towns and Places from their Situ-
ation and other Circumstances of Moment must be greater Objects
of Attention than others and more likely to be attacked. We have
the strongest and most irrefragable Proof of your Zeal to advance
the Interest and happiness of the States and knew that [that] alone
was sufficient to prompt you to comply with our Requisition if re-
stricted Instructions and other Objects had not made it improper,
your Resolution to march with the greatest Rapidity to reinforce the
southern Army imparts to us the greatest Pleasure and merits our
warmest Applause, and your halting at such Points as would enable
vou to give the most speedy Assistance to either of the three Towns
you mention would be highly agreeable, yet we do not wish that the
temporary Relief that would be derived from your Stay among us
should impede your moving rapidly to the Succour of the Southern
Army. We have issued Orders to M^r Poe to collect at Baltimore
what waggons and Horses may be necessary for your Detachment
and required M^r James Calhoun our Commissary at Baltimore to
provide for your use a Number of fine Cattle and a quantity of Flour,
you may depend on finding every Thing furnished agreeable to our