tobacco, in certain portions, to be dealt out by the day and month. During that year, in lieu of these, they were to receive $2,000. The non-commissioned officers and privates were also to be given an allowance in rum and tobacco, which, for the year 1779, was commuted at £20 currency for each man. The act also provided that those who should enlist in a Maryland regiment to serve for three years, or during the war, should receive, in addition to the bounties provided by congress and the state, a hat, a pair of shoes, stockings and overalls. CHAPTER XIX. FORWARDING THE CAUSE AT HOME. WHILE the Maryland troops were upholding the honor of the State in the field, those at home, the noncombatants, were doing their part to forward the patriotic cause. A feeling of patriotism was manifested everywhere among all classes, and in many instances those who could not very well afford it sacrificed the necessaries of life to contribute towards the support of the troops in the field. Everything that was possible was done to assist in the struggle and privations were endured by those at home as well as by those in camp. Patriotic sentiments were expressed on all sides. Scharf145 gives a copy of a letter supposed to 145"History of Western Maryland," Vol. II., p. 1035. The letter is as follows: TO CAPT. WILLIAM HEYSER, AT THE AMERICAN CAMP, PHILADELPHIA. Dear Father Through the mercies of almighty God, I my Mamma, my brother and have been written to Captain William Heyser by his son, aged nine years. While the sentiments expressed in the letter were no doubt those entertained by almost everyone yet the letter itself is scarcely one such as would be written by a nine-year old boy. Many of the German settlers in western Maryland had conscientious scruples against war and these people were averse to enlisting in the army and taking an active part in the war, but they contributed of their means, many of them liberally. Military stores, gunpowder, guns and cannon, were manufactured at a number of places, and supplies of various kinds also contributed. At a meeting of the Committee of Observation for that part of Frederick county which is now Washington county, held at Elizabeth Town (Hagerstown) on April 8, 1776, the following communication was received from the Council of Safety: Sisters are well, in hopes these may find you enjoying these Felicities, which tend to happiness in life, and everlasting Happiness in Eternity your long absence and great distance is the only matter of our trouble, but our sincere Prayers, is for your Welfare and Prosperity, begging that God may prosper you, and your united Brethren, in your laudable undertaking, and in the end crown you with the laurels of a Complete victory, over the Enemies of the inestimable Rights, Liberties, and Privileges of distressed America, and hand them down inviolate, to the latest Posterity. My Dear father, my greatest Grief is, that I am incapable of the military Service, that I might enjoy the company of so loving a father, and serve my country in so glorious a cause, but tho' absent from you yet my constant prayer is for your Safety, in the Hour of danger, your complete victory, over the Enemies, of the united States of America, and your Safe Restoration to the government of your family. I and my brother Jacob Continue at School, and hope to give a full Satisfaction, to our parents, and friends in our regular conduct, and Progress in learning, my Mamma, my brother and Sister do join me in their Prayers and well wishes for you. Hagers Town I am Dr. Father your most dutiful and obedt Son, IN COUNCIL OF SAFETY, ANNAPOLIS, Gentlemen:-The great difficulty we find in providing blankets for the regular forces raised for the defence of this province obliges us to apply to the committee of observation for the several counties and districts, earnestly requesting that they would use their endeavors to procure from the housekeepers in their respective counties and districts all the blankets or rugs that they can with any convenience spare, for which the council will pay such prices as the committees shall agree on, as well as any expense that may arise in collecting them together; and when you have procured any quantity, you will send them to Annapolis, to Col. Smallwood, or, in his absence, to the commanding officer on this station, who will receive the same, and give orders on the council for the payment thereof. We hope that the friends to our cause in the county will contribute everything in their power to the comfortable subsistence of the soldiery in this respect; it will be an act of great humanity, and render an essential service to the public. We are, Gentlemen, your most Obt servants. By order. DANIEL, of ST. THOS., JENNIFer, P. The proceedings of the Committee then go on to state146 In consequence of the preceding letter from the honorable the council of safety of this province, we have, agreeably to their request, furnished them with what quantity of blankets and rugs the inhabitants of this district can with any convenience spare, and a price estimated on them by this committee as follows: ........ £ s. d. William Baird, 1 blanket... 0 17 6 ... £ s. d. John Ingram, I blanket.... o 15 0 146 Scharf's "History of Western Maryland," Vol. I., p. 134. Received of Conrad Sheitz forty-four blankets for the use of this province, which were delivered him by the committee of Observation of Elizabeth Town district. Received by me this 12th day of April, 1776. GEO. STRICKER. While there were some of the inhabitants of Maryland who remained loyal to Great Britain, the majority of them, particularly among the Germans, were on the side of the patriots, and they were ever on the alert to detect any treasonable designs on the part of the Tories, and owing to their vigilance they were frequently able to frustrate well-laid plans which might have resulted seriously for the American cause. One of the most notable of these was that concocted by Dr. John Connolly, which was frustrated by some of the Germans of western Maryland. Connolly was a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he became a physician. After taking part in the French and |