Head of Elk [Md.] 10th June 1778
[Extract] Dear Sir
the goods by the Independant Gally1 I rec'd the Tents, Blankets but no Armes as Gen Smallwoods quarters are moving Continually and no certainty I have to finde them and if found perhaps no certanty of having a store Suteable to receve the goods I have sent a sargant of Capt —— on Express to know where the goods are to be sent and have put the goods in Store till his Return which I Expect will be this Evning, shall send them of[f] Imediately on the Sargants Return . . . and I have the Satisfaction of Informing your Honnour that fore vessles has arrivd hear with Pork from Virginia within these two Days, and two with Bacon from this State (Mr. Chars Down of Queen anns County2) who has sent more meat forward then all the other aggents (Colo Desheild3 Excepted) has promis'd me a drove of Cattle in a few days, by which time I shall have a quantity of those feeding in this County collected and sent forwards with those of Downs, so that you may be assurd there is not the Least Doubt but that the army will be Sofficently Supply'd with provissions and Forage—the time is now nearly come which not only your selfe but the Honnourable Board of War feared we should want for the Army, be assurd there is a plenty in Vew Let Vessles be sent on to Virginia as the Bay is clear for Both Corn and pork4 which I shall assist in all in my power have sent the two Vessles which went from this place Back to Virginia and shall continue them with any others I can procure in that sarvice pleas to order any Vessles that your Honnour may Send with either Corn or provissions to this place as by that at Least 20/ pr Bbl is Saved in the Carryage only and every other circumstance in its favr. and the place full as Safe as I am assurd by the General officrs that there is not the Least Dangare at this place This I thought my Duty to informe your Hon—of as the Board of war Direct me to direct the Goods to that Rout which is Cheaper & and Best I am Sir [&c.]
H Hollingsworth D Q M & F M G5
L, MdAA, Maryland State Papers, Series A, S1004-12-990 (MdHR 6636-11-116). Addressed at bottom of page: “His Excellency Governor Johnson."
1. On 2 June the Maryland Navy galley Independence, Capt. Bennett Mathews, commander, was ordered to Cambridge, Maryland, to pick up supplies to be delivered to Hollingsworth. Maryland Council to Lt. Col. Samuel Smith, 2 June, MdAA, Governor and Council, Letterbook, S1075-6 (MdHR 4007), p. 169, no. 243.
2. That is, Charles Downes, a purchasing agent for Maryland. On 19 June, Hollingsworth wrote Johnson again complaining that the masters of the vessels that brought the pork and bacon had demanded exorbitant freightage fees. Hollingsworth also reported that he expected "several large Craft” to arrive from Virginia with additional supplies of provisions. MdAA, Maryland State Papers, Series A, S1004-12-2943 (MdHR 6636-11-126).
3. That is, Col. Joseph Dashiell of the Maryland militia and County Lieutenant for Worcester County.
4. Hollingsworth meant that Chesapeake Bay was clear of British and Loyalist vessels and could be safely used to transport provisions.
5. That is, Deputy Quarter Master & Forage Master General.
