of the Council of Maryland. 397

the said guard, but if you should have Information that the Enemy
are about to Land in the Delaware State and apprehend it will be
attended with great Hazard to pass through the Lower end of Cecil
and the heads of Kent and Queen Anns Counties, we would if you
may think it absolutely necessary, have you turn Down to the Head
of Elk & consult Col. Hollingsworth there who we are assured will
render you every assistance, in geting the Articles above mentioned
carried down by water from the Head of Elk to turners Creek tak^g
particular care that they do not fall into the Hands of the Enemy on
their water carriage. In this case you are to order your waggons
round to Turners Creek & if any accident should happen to them on
their way round, you are hereby authorized to impress waggons in
Kent and Cecil; or when you can get them to proceed by the way of
Chester Town to this place Eight waggons will be necessary to bring
the arms & Ammunition & four good Horses must be carried with
Gears and Drivers to bring down the Artilery which is properly
mounted. And if Deford can't furnish you with as many waggons
as are necessary, you are to go to Chester Town and apply to Lieu'
Bordley of Kent County who is authorized by us to impress as many
waggons as may be necessary i f they cant be hired at Twenty shillings
p day Exclusive of any Expence to the State, at which rate four are
already hired.

April 13,
1781
From
original
draft

[Council to Col. Samuel Smith.]

We are this Moment informed by M^r that John Hammond
Cromwell was committed by him to the Guard House in Baltimore
Town on Suspicion of buying Flour for the use of the Enemy. We
have Strong reasons to believe this Man has been engaged in Practices
of this kind and as some of his Agents are or will be executed as
Spies and as every possible Information will be drawn from them
previous to Execution we are not without Hopes of establishing the
Charges against Cromwell, as it is proper to go into an Examination

April 13
Liber No. 78
p. 128

as early as possible, we are desirous of having him brought here, and
presuming the Lieutenant of Baltimore County may be absent, we
request you will send him to Annapolis immediately under a vigilant
Spirited militia Officer with a small Guard.

p. 128

[Council to Mr. Richard Curson.]

Gen^l Gist laid before us your Offer to sell the State some Cloths
and Linens at one hundred p Cent on the prime cost to be paid in
Continental Money at one hundred and twenty for one if immediately
paid, if not paid now, in Bills at seventy five continental Dollars for
five livres, we are much in want of such Articles for the Soldiers
and have determined to take them on the Terms proposed and will
give an Order on the Collector of Baltimore County for the Amount
in new continental State Money at the Exchange of three for one

Ibid.