of the Council of Safety, 1776. 459

Thomas Dalling pble at Sight for Four hundred dollars which
draft I flatter my self will be punctually Honoured and I am
with much esteme, Gentlemen
Your most obedient Serv^t
Abm. Van Bibber.

C.S.C.

[Chase to Council.]

Philadelphia Nov. 19^th 1776.
Gentlemen.
I arrived here yesday afternoon. I have seen our Commis-
sioners. Congress in answer to the three Propositions from
our State for Raising our Quota have given a copy of a
Resolve, relative to the Massachusetts Bay, who as I am
informed, offered 30/^S a month extra for the privates, in
which Congress agrees to give 20 Dollars bounty to each
soldier, who will enlist for three years. Our Commissioners
are much distressed.
On Saturday last Gen^l Howe with his whole army sur-
rounded fort Washington, We had 2000 men in the fort.
There were two lines outside of the fort. A large Body of
our men marched out to the further Lines, and sustained the
attack with great Bravery, until a party of the Enemy enclosed
them within the first lines on the back of our Troops. Our
forces then retreated into the fort, and soon afterwards Sur-
rendered, it seems agreed here, that the fort was injudiciously
defended, and not with the Bravery that might have been
expected from the officer (Col^o Magaw) who commanded, and
the Troops which consisted of Magaw's and Cadwallader's
Battalions and a party of the flying Camp, chiefly pennsylva-
nians. If the fort had held out till the morning, Gen^l Wash-
ington had expectations of bringing off the men, however
2000 men could not, I suppose withstand an army of at least
five Times their numbers. Thus we have lost two thousand
of our best Troops and some of our best officers, with
provisions and stores for 4 months. Be pleased to send us
the form of Gov' when published, I write this in Congress.

Your obed.' Servant

Sam^l Chase.

Original.

[Archer and Harris to Council.]

Harford County Nov. 19^th 1776.
Gentlemen.
We have sent to Baltimore Town am^t of 865 3/4 yards of
Hemp Linnen and deposited it with M^r John Smith for your
order, before it should be used agreeable to our Engage

C.S.J.