Council of Maryland, 1781-1782. 293

to this Place, or to meet them at the Head of Elk. Enclosed is the
Bill we have paid for Fortune Stoddard, a Soldier of the State of
Rhode Island at the Request of Congress.

October 25
Liber No. 78
p. 388

[Council to Honble Robert Morris]

Without having the smallest Desire of advancing any Money for
the Army, on account of the United States, we frequently find our-
selves under the Necessity of doing it, to our no small Mortification.
Some Months before the Recruits raised in the State the present
Year, received marching Orders, an Officer was sent to Philadelphia
for the express Purpose of procuring Cloathing for them, yet when
they were about to march, they wanted several very essential Ar-
ticles, without which indeed, they could not proceed, particularly
Shoes. We were reduced to the Alternative of furnishing them, or
letting the Troops remain in the State, we chose the former, as the
lesser Evil. There are now about 70 more Recruits in the State,
who are almost naked, and unless Cloathing can be sent to this Place,
or the Head of Elk for them, we shall be obliged to supply such
Things as cannot be done without. We mention this to shew you
that, however essential it is that the Regulations of Congress be
strictly adhered to, yet from the Nature of Things, they must be
broke through in some Instances, unless some other Mode than we
know of, for supplying Troops at a Distance, be adopted at Phila-
delphia. We have written to the Secretary at War, on the Subject
of the Cloathing wanted.
Permit us to inform you, that the Legislature of Maryland meets
the 4^th of next Month.

Ibid.

Monday 28^th October 1782

Permission is hereby given to Captain Bennett Bussey of Harford
County to solicit Leave of His Excellency General Washington or
the Officers commanding at the Out posts of the Army to obtain a
Flag to go into New York to endeavor to get Jesse Bussey (the son
of Jesse Bussey of Baltimore County who lost a limb on board the
Matilda and who is now confined on board the prison ship) released
from Captivity and Permission is also given to Edward Parker to go
with the said Captain Bennett Bussey to assist in conveying home the
said Jesse Bussey in case his release should be obtained. —
Ordered that the western shore Treasurer pay to Lieut Gassaway
Watkins twenty seven pounds, seventeen shillings and seven pence
half penny — Major Benjamin Brookes twenty seven pounds and
three pence and Captain John Courts Jones twenty pounds, two shil-
lings, Specie out of the money that came from the Havana, put into
the Treasury by Major General Smallwood to be accounted for and
charged to the United States. —

October 28
Liber C. B.
No. 24
p. 351