We were honored with your Letter of the 7th Instant,1 and have the pleasure to inform your Excellency that the General Assembly have passed a Law to raise two Battalions of Militia to be composed of 1340 effective Men including Non Commissioned Officers to serve until the 10th Day of December next.2

The State of Maryland sensible that it is of the utmost Importance to check the further Progress of the Enemy, and to expel them from every part of the United States, are determined to make every possible Exertion for the Succour of the State of Virginia, and to reinforce the Army under General Greene: they have appropriated 200,000£ to be immediately struck on British confistcated and forfeited Property aided by private Subscriptions and Associations, to the sole purpose of carrying on the present Campaign with unremitting Vigour,3 and We flatter ourselves such is the Spirit of the People here, and their Opinion of the Necessity of Driving the Enemy from the Continent that Nothing will be left undone that can be accomplished.

The Militia as soon as they are raised and equiped, shall be marched away by Detachments in the manner Your Excellency have advised.

We have ordered three Volunteer Troops of Militia light Horse about seventy in Number to join the Marquis, and expect they are with him by this Time.4 We have the honor to be with very high personal Respect and Esteem Your Excellency’s Mo. Obedt and Mo. Hble servts