62 Letters to the Governor and Council

February 9
Brown Book
No. 8
Letter 39

Marine of his most Christian Majesty, was seized in his hands or
those of his various agents in Consequence of a Law of this state :
From that moment, I have not been able to procure any settlement of
accounts, nor a Knowledge of the flour or wheat purchased for the
Royal Marine, nor has M^r Smith been able to procure from the
State, that part of either which was appropriated by the State Com-
missioners for the urgent necessities of the Continental army; I am
very sensible, In consequence of what passed yesterday in Council,
that your Excellency & the supreme executive are equaly desirous
with myself to put an end to this unfortunate transaction in the
most expeditious & equitable manner. I shall only take the liberty of
Requesting that you'll condescend to Consider of & to enable me to
adopt the most effectual measures of or obtaining a speedy & cer-
tain setlement of this matter
M^r Smith having in his Possession upwards of five thousand Bar-
rels of flour purchased in the Greatest part since last fall, in order
to compleat the 15,000 Barrels which he had been authorized to pro-
cure for the Royal marine, I have the Honor of Requesting that your
Excellency will please to give the necessary Instructions so as he
may [be] permitted to forward three thousand Barrels of flour By
the head of Elk, to Mess^rs Turnbull & Co: my agents in Philadelphia
to be deposited in the stores of the Royal Marine, conformable to
the Instructions he may hereafter receive from me: The present
situation of things will I Believe sufficiently Justify this Requisition,

without any further elucidation on my part. It may suffice to add

that M^r Smith will religiously conform in this business to any for-
mality which may be required from him, in order to Prevent any
evasion of the Laws of this State.
Permit me also, Sir, to transmit to your Excellency, the Inclosed
Letter of the 5^th from the above mentioned W^m Smith Esq^re In con-
sequence of which I have the pleasure of proffering 1500 Barrels of
Biscuit for such use as y^r Honorable the Council may think Proper :
should my Proposition & the Biscuit when examined be acceptable,
M^r Smith will be authorized to Determine the value thereof with
the state Commissioner, which value may be made payable in state
money or such other as will have a free circulation at the time of
Payment, at the then current Exchange.
It would be extreamly agreeable if your Excellency would make
it Convenient to Return a Speedy answer to these objects, so as I
might make my arrangements In consequence.

February 9

[Bond of Zephaniah Turner, Auditor General.]

Know all men by these presents that We Zephaniah Turner
William Hyde and John Bullen are held and firmly bound unto the
State of Maryland in the sum of Five Thousand pounds to be paid
to the said State. To which payment well and truly to be made and