To George Washington from the Council of Maryland, 12 August 1778
From the Council of Maryland
In Council 12th Augt 1778.
Sir.
Lieut. Colo. Smith by his Letter of the 26th last, informs us that he is desired by the Officers of the second Maryland Brigade to apply to us for Money to inlist the nine Months Men, many of whom they have inlisted for three Years and the greatest Number of whom may be before their Time has expired; that the Money, which they will frequently want, will induce them and, he conceives an Order through your Excellency to the Paymaster General would be the most convenient Method.1 We very much wish to prevent, as far as possible, the like Inconveniencies again occurring in reinlisting and recruiting as we have too often experienced and, if it can be done with Propriety, hope you will give the necessary Orders for the Advance of the forty Dollars Bounty allowed by this State for such of the nine Months Men as may inlist in our Regiments. If this Mode of Advance on Account of the State cannot be effected, we shall endeavour to furnish the Officers in some other Method, though none offers itself at present. We are Sir with the greatest Respect &ca.
LB, MdAA: Council Letterbook, 1777–1779.
1. The council was referring to Lt. Col. Samuel Smith’s letter of 26 July to Gov. Thomas Johnson (MdAA). The troops were those raised in accordance with Congress’s resolution of 26 Feb. 1778, directing the states to draft troops for nine months’ service to complete their Continental regiments (, 10:199–203).