6 Journal and Correspondence

Julys

[H. Hollingsworth, D. Q. M. G., Head of Elk, to His Excellency,
Thomas S. Lee, in Council.]

Gentlemen A few days since I inclos'd your Excellency & Honors
an Account of the Flour, received at this Post, which I hope came
safe to hand, the Packetts which came to hand from the Southward
on Sunday last was delivered to Congress by the bearer Tho^s Giles
who has been a diligent and Punctual Express at this Post, above
two years which I shall continue if supported, shall thank your
Excellency & Honors, to furnish me with a List of the Rout, Posts
and persons by whom dispatches are to be forwarded, as it does not
appear proper to me that my Messengers should go further than
Baltimore & Philad^a otherways. He may be wanted before He can
return and of Course a second will be wanted, (and must be
imploy'd)
He now sets out without one shilling to bear his expences nor
can I procure any from the Treasury of the United States, your
Excellency and Honors will think it a little Extraordinary that tho
at this Post, I have about Seventy Teams Continually at work and
lately almost as many vessells the ware and tare of these waggons
to keep up, all the Grain and Provision to receive Examine (& pack
when necessary) Deliver Coopers and fattigue men, to employ and
pay, all of which I am from three to six months in arrears too.
I say you will think it a little Extraordinary when I tell you I have
not received a farthing, to carry on this whole work for near two
months, 'tho I have made three formal applications and in my last
assur'd the Quarter Master General and Board of War, that the
Scene would close and Business stop unless I was supply'd, 'tis well
known that we have not been allowed to do any business for our-
selves, the last years, therefore can have no money of our own, and
as to my own Part. I ever parted with my money to the Public when
I had any, without the Least restraint. I mentioned those Circum-
stances to your Excellency and Honors as a Plea, that the Bearer
may be furnished with at least a sum to Pay his expences back, and
to enable me to forward him on any future service. He can inform
you that his last Journey to Philad^a was done on Credit, and let me
in this assure you, that I borrowed Pocket Money to come to An-
napolis while this state owes me in Certificates about Twelve thou-
sand Pounds, and the United States near Fifty Thousand as a pri-
vate Debt, and at the same time owe at this Post, which I am a
Sponser for above five hundred Thousand, I have kept the Credit
of the Post, (to my Satisfaction) untill lately but 'tis all over unless
I am relieved Immediately, yesterday one of the Continental vessells
was left by the Hand and very honestly told me it was because they
saw no Chance of getting their money, the waggoners will follow
their Example I fear, as many of them have received no pay since
last February. I have been obliged to exchange part the Public
Corn for Cloth to make baggs to forward the remainder.