In Council Annapolis 10th June 1778.
Sir.
Mr. Baldesqui has been so obliging as to deliver your Letter and be the Bearer of this.1 It is very desirable that the Brig at Baltimore should be employed,2 but the Claim of her former Owner Capt. Stone,3 has hitherto prevented any Thing being done with her, she wants expensive Repairs and, as he is prosecuting a Suit at Law, if he recovers the Vessel, the Repairs must go with her. The Assembly desirous of having the Matter setled on the same Principles of Justice as prevail between private Men, gave us special Powers for that End, but Capt. Stone's Obstinacy or, at least, his Difference in Sentiment from us, has occasioned him to reject every Proposition we could make for a speedy Decision or eventual Provision. We wish to sell the Brig but, as we would not assure the Title, it is but right to apprise any person who might be inclined to purchase, of her Circumstances, nor can we advise you, who must be a Stranger to our Rules of Property, to invest your Money in a Dispute which will at least, give you much Trouble. General Count Pulaski's Defence of the Liberties of Mankind in general and his attaching himself specially to the Interests of America, intitles him to our attentive Regard and we should have been happy in having it in our Power to sell him the Brig without any Incumbrances on her; he will justly impute his Disappointment to the Cause we have intimated.—We are Sir &ca.
LB, MdAA, Governor and Council, Letterbook, S1075-6 (MdHR 4007), p. 171, no. 249. Addressed at the foot: "General Count Pulaski."
1. See Pulaski to Gov. Thomas Johnson Jr., this date, above.
2. Maryland State trading brig Friendship.
3. Capt. William Stone.