364 Journal and Correspondence.

February 20
Liber C. B.
No. 24
p. 387

Munro seven pounds, nine shillings and ten pence out of the money
set apart for Contingent Expences of Government per Accounts
passed. —

February 20
Liber No. 78
p. 418

[W Paca in Council to Colo^s Joseph and George Dashiell.]

We hereby authorize and empower you to draw from the Com-
missary of ———— County, such Provisions as may be necessary for
the Militia under your Command, and to appoint a Forage Master,
to supply the Horse with Forage.

Ibid.

[Council to Maj^r Joseph Bruff.]

Be pleased to deliver to the Order of Col^o George Dashiell, such
Ammunition as he may want, keeping in View that Col^o Joseph
Dashiell has a similar Order upon you, and that you are not to leave
your own County without Ammunition.
N B. Similar Order in Fav^r of Col^o Joseph Dashiell.

Ibid.

[W^m Paca in Council to Col^os Joseph and George Dashiell]

We have yours of the sixteenth Ins^t, and are greatly distressed
by the Contents. We feel most sensibly, the Dangers you are ex-
posed to, and lament that it is not in our Power to afford you effectual
Relief; but you may be assured that every Thing which can be done,
shall be chearfully done for your Assistance. It is too true that there
is no Militia Law. A Difference of Opinion between the two Branches
of the Legislature, respecting some particular Exemptions, has re-
duced us to this defenceless Situation : but we hope the Spirit and
Patriotism of the People of your County, will supply the Place of a
Law. The People exposed to Danger on this Shore, have entered
into Associations, the Effects of which have hitherto answered all
the Purposes of a Law, and it is found that they turn out with more
Alacrity, when they do it voluntarily. We most earnestly recommend
the same Measure to the good Whigs of your County, who, we doubt
not, will have Discernment enough to see the Propriety of continuing
their old Officers in Command, as making any material Change will
only tend to derange their Plans, and delay their Exertions. They
may have the Consolation to reflect, that this, probably, will be the
last Time they will be under the Necessity of risquing their Lives in
Defence of their Property, and, what is still more dear, their Wives
and Children : for there are the best Grounds to believe, that Peace
is already concluded in Europe; the last Accounts from whence, of
the 22^d December, inform us that the preliminary Articles were
signed, by the American and British Ministers, and only waited the
Assent of France, which probably would be given in a few Days.
You ought not, however, to depend upon Appearances, nor shall we ;
We have, as the only Thing in our Power, made a Preposition to the