of the Council of Maryland. 99

Articles, therefore I have not the Pleasure to promise your Excel-
lency any immediate supply of consequence from hence, but I shall
do all in my Power, I have now a Vessel collecting wheat & hope
to get her away Aerly next week to Elk with about 1000 Bushels
& if I am powerfully supplyd I may Venture to promise as much
by Christmas as will make 1000 Barrels of flour 25£ is said to be
given for wheat, I have not promised more then 22:10.0 I shall be
exceeding glad to hear what is given at other Places as I do not care
to depend on common reports it might be of Public advantage if
the Commissioner w^ld write each other the prices they give to pre-
vent imposition as each of us will think our County is entitled to
as much as other. I have purchased 15 head of Cattle & as soon as
I get as many more will send them to Elk. Our People do not shew
a fondness for paying their Taxes either in Tobacco Wheat or Beef
a disposition seems to prevail to put off payment as long as Possible
since I advertised to receive wheat for the 15 p C^t Tax neither
wheat nor money is paid and as numbers will not till obliged I shall
be glad to know if executions can Issue ag^t their Classes which have
not procured men before recruits are obtained for the Classes
Salt is an Article much wanted if your Excellency could send
me some or Give me a Credit with any of the Merchants so that I
Wuld get What I wantd I should be certain of Obtaining Provisions
to the Am^t thereof & should chearfully take any trouble necessary
for the obtaining it.
The Tobacco your Excellency sent me I have not been able to sell
with out delivering it at Baltimore Town clear of the Assessments
due on it
I am much concernd at the situation of Our Army I assure your
Excellency I have not been wanting in my endeavour to procure
provisions in the months past, it has cost me much trouble & expence
to Little purpose. I wish Our Purchases could be so orderd that
no Commissary nor French Agent w^ld be permit'd to enter into
contracts before the delivery of the provisions, I believe this w^ld
prevent Private Persons interfering in the purchase of Grain & be
the best way to procure immediate supplys I have sent by M^r Smith
an order from M^r Wheeler in my favor for 391...13. 4 hard money,
I should be glad to receive a part if Possible, or to be assured when
payment may be depend'd on. I am unwilling to mention my wants
for old Creditors, knowing Your Excellency must be much con-
cerned for the want of money but should their be any money in the
Treasury so that I could get a little by M^r Smith it w^ld greatly
assist me.

Your Excellency will Please to favor me with an answer to this
& also respecting some deserters I mentioned in my last.

September

12

Red Book

No. 26
Letter

No. 95