92 Letters to the Governor and Council

February 27

with, if any disappointment should happen on his part in that Article
I am in hopes that it will lay in my power to Comply therewith. As
to Difficulties I labour under many for the want of that proper in-
struction which persons generally are who are appointed to Offices
that they are not very Conversant in — but are in hopes with due atten-
tion and Industry I shall yet make my services acceptable. I wrote
you from this place some time ago informing you of my necessities,
requesting an order on the Collector of this County for such a sum
as would have Enabled me to Comply with my orders, but through
some miscarriage I presume it did not reach you.
I now shall [be] making what purchases which may lay in my
power & I hope I shall be Justified by Yourself & Council as I have
not lately received orders for this Especial purpose. Provisions are
high, Money Scarce, I shall do all that lays in my power with the
Assistance of Col^o Hollingsworth who has gave all the aide that he
could possably do.

February 27

[Don'l Yeates, D. Q. M., Elk, to the Governor and Council]

The bearer M^r Wright a Gentⁿ who does bussiness with me in the
Quarter Masters department, waits on you to communicate some
measures of Public concern, he will produce to you Colonel Picker-
ings instructions to me, Annapolis I apprehend is the properest place
to procure the express Boat to go of with the letters, there is no
Craft here suitable, all the Craft that can be procured and sent here
for the reception of troops I presume will be wanted, I hope to meet
your aid and Authority in geting the Vessels at your place & Balti-
more Town, I am badly of in not haveing provisions necessary on
this movement of troops, Col^o Hollingsworth has wrote you on the
occasion, you know my situation that of not being supplied with
money, as many teams will be wanted for the space of two or three
days in geting the heavy Cannon and Stores suddenly across from
Xteen, it will require the sanction of the Civil Authority to assist
me in procuring them your Advice and Assistance in this circum-
stance will be much acknowledged.

February 26
1 o'clock in
the morning

[Tim Pickering, Q. M. G'l, Philadelphia to Donaldson
Yeates Esq^r, D. Q. M.]

You will have been informed of the arrival of a detachment of
Ships in the Chesapeak from the fleet of our Allies at Rhode Island,
and their object will at once seem to you — the Capture of Arnold
& the troops & Vessells under his command. To Cooperate with
those Ships a detachment of American troops, amounting to fifteen
hundred men, are now on their march from the main Army; and
a letter from the Marquis de la Fayette, who commands them, re-
ceived this moment, informs me that this Detachment of troops will
be at the Head of Elk by the third or fourth of March at farthest.