116 Letters to the Governor and Council

Ibid.

Letter 58

that place, with a number of Troops Destined on an expedition, and
that unless the Merchants, and others, of this Town, wou'd unite in
procuring such assistance as the Troops may want, there is reason
to apprehend a failure of the enterprize, we the subscribers fully
impressed with the importance of annoying & repelling the common
Enemy, & Sensible of the Difficulties which Government at this time
labour under, from the Exhausted situation of the Treasury, do
hereby agree to afford every assistance in our power, and that we
will ratify and confirm such agreements or purchases as may be made
for the purposes of expediting the above business by Mess^rs Robert
Purviance Matthew Ridley & William Paterson a Committee ap-
pointed to Transact it, at a meeting held this day; and that we will
by subscriptions of money if necessary, enable the said Gentlemen
to fullfil their contracts. It is however understood that the said Gen-
tlemen, in matters of importance, shall call a meeting of the subscrib-
ers, that they may be informed how far the Credit may be pledged,
and the Majority of those met, agreeing thereto shall be binding on
the whole. It is also expected the Committee will write the Governor
& Council of the measures adopted & settle some proper mode with
them of receiving money for the completion of purchases; and in
case of necessary advances to Guarantee Subscribers as to repay-
ments of them
A true Copy
J. B. Cutting Sec^ry

Ibid.
Letter 59

Extract of a Letter from James McHenry Esq^r dated Elk 6^th March
'81. Addressed to the Merchants of Baltimore.

On joining Major General, the Marquiss de la Fayette, I was con-
vinced of what I had before suspected, that his Enterprize wanted
all Your assistance. He has been greatly disappointed; and of course
it has stood still for some days; and without very general exertions
may be defeated in its commencement. Such is the deranged state
of our treasury affairs, that public officers find a thousand inconveni-
encies & obstacles in the execution of their duty. Scarce a Waggon
can be put in motion without adding to the powers of Government
that of private assistance. In such a situation it becomes the duty of
Individuals, and of particular societies of men, to contribute a cer-
tain support beyond what may be consider'd their proper proportion.
This is look'd for under all Governments but expected more pecu-
liarly in the republican. I need not select as an instance the Philadel-
phia Merchants who have so long kept the Northern Army supplies
with provisions.
You will be surpriz'd that a Sufficient number of Vessels for the
transport of the Troops have not' yet arriv'd. But there are other
matters as necessary to the enterprize which without your interposi-
tion may not be provided.