608 Proceedings and Correspondence

September 7
Liber C. B
No. 24
p. 150

That the said Treasurer pay to John Merrikin appointed an Ensign
in the Maryland Line, ten pounds of the same Emission, of the money
aforesaid on Account.
That the said Treasurer pay to James Neale one thousand pounds
of the same Emission of the money aforesaid to be delivered over
as follows, five hundred pounds to Joseph Ford Esq^r Commissary of
S^t Marys County and five hundred pounds to Flezekiah Reeder Esq^r
Commissary of Charles County for the use of their Departments on
Account.
That the Commissary of stores deliver John Merrikin a suit of
Cloaths and two shirts on Account.
Warrant issued directed to James Calhoun Esq^r empowering and
requesting him to impress, in Frederick and Washington Counties,
such a number of Waggons, Teams and Drivers as he may deem
necessary to transport the Public Flour from thence to George Town
or to appoint a proper person or persons to impress them.

September 7
10 o'clock
Liber No. 78
p. 278

[Council to Colo. Philip Thomas.]

The fourth Regiment under the Command of Major Roxbourgh,
have just marched; most of the Men are Americans and very healthy,
likely young Fellows. We have made every Exertion to get Tents ;
Blankets, Shoes and Camp Kettles, but without Success, and we
can't refrain from expressing our uneasiness on Account of their
being so ill provided, for they must suffer greatly. The Shoes, we
hope have been, or will be obtained in Time and forwarded to George
Town, agreeable to our Request. Nothing would be a more accept-
able Service than supplying them with 250 or 300 Blankets, or Cloth
suitable for that Purpose, and, if they are attainable, we are sensible
your Exertions, in Conjunction with M^r Edelen will not be ineffectual.
The Dews, at this Season, are very heavy and pernicious, and unless
they have Blankets many of them will fall sick and be lost. We have
the Happiness to congratulate you on the Arrival of the French Fleet
in the Bay of Chesapeake under Count DeGrasse, consisting of 28
Ships of the Line, four Frigates and a Cutter; the enclosed Copies
will give you the Particulars. Governor Nelson, by his Letter of the
2^d informs us they have made such Dispositions as will prevent
the British Army, now at York, from crossing James River, should
they attempt to escape to the Southward, and trusts they shall, in
Conjunction with the French Troops, be able to oppose to them such
a Force as will keep them from penetrating westerly in Order to
cross the Country higher up. We are also informed by Major Gibbs
that the British Fleet of 14 Ships of the Line, under S^r Samuel Hood,
arrived at the Hook on Wednesday the 8^th ult^o and were joined by
six Ships of the Line from New York & on Friday following the
whole sailed from the Hook, supposed for the Chesapeake; their
Arrival has not yet been announced