128 Letters to the Governor and Council

March 15

to make up the quantity you desire (which hope can be done this
week) on my own credit and with the Assistance of some Gentlemen
of the Town trusting that your Board will send an order on the Col-
lector of this County for the money to reimburse us, but cannot
suppose it prudent to send any Provisions from hence by water
whilst the Enemies ships are up the Bay, therefore shall wait your
further orders in this matter as the danger has arose since the date
of your letter.

March 15
Brown Book
No. 8
Letter 29

[Holker, Philadelphia, to Gov. Lee.]

The letter which you did me the honor of writing to me on the
16^th February, after having reached Philadelphia, returned to Bal-
timore & from thence here, is now at hand, your Excellency & the
Honorable the executive council, may depend, that I have & shall
take decisive measures, to comply with their desire, & to procure
the arms & cloathing they call for I have laid my plan before His
Excellency the Chev^r De la Luzerne, who approves of my views &
is of opinion with myself, that his majesty's Ministers in france,
will give every protection & facility consistent with the public Ser-
vice. I have also forwarded to the Marquis de Castries Secretary
of State of the Marine Department, the proposals of the Hon^ble the
Council, with your Excellency's letter, so as he may be acquainted
with the urgent necessities of the inhabitants of Maryland, in order
also that he may Judge of the practibility of uniting this business
with the service of the navy, & for granting a permit for shipping
the articles you want, on some of his Majestys frigates coming to
America. I could wish that some such arrangement could take place
not only in order to avoid paying a freight, which would be a con-
siderable saving to the state, but also to ensure their arival, which
is of much greater importance
the friends in france to whom I have applied are more of great
worth, property, integrity & Spirit: they are in my opinion the most
active & capable in that Kingdom, to execute this Commission to
your utmost Satisfaction in every point of view & I have Strong
hopes, though I dare not promise it, that they will go immediately
to work so soon as my letters come to hand, Especialy as I am fully
convinced, that the Minister of the royal marine will recommend it
to them.
I shall deem it one of the most happy circumstances of my life, if
my interference, can be any ways instrumental, in procuring any
object which may contribute to the deffence or happiness of the In-
habitants of Maryland; my exertions shall be both strenuous &
liberal. I shall deem the reward truly great, if I am so happy as to
give satisfaction & to deserve the approbation of your excellency &
the honourable Council: to convince you that these are my senti-
ments, I have pledged myself for the punctual execution of the