Given under our common seal, at the Guildhall of the Town of Nottingham, the 20th day of October, 1775.

ROBERT SEAGRAVE, Town Clerk.

ADDRESS OF THE GENTLEMEN, ETC., OF THE TOWN OF NOTTINGHAM.

Address of the Gentlemen, principal Manufacturers, and Inhabitants of the Town of Nottingham, presented by Lord Howe and Lord Edward Bentinck.

The humble Address of the Gentlemen, principal Manufacturers, and Inhabitants of the Town of NOTTINGHAM.

To the King’s Most Excellent Majesty:

We, the Gentlemen, principal Manufacturers, and Inhabitants of the Town of Nottingham, beg leave, at this interesting period, to approach your royal presence in the character of your most loyal and affectionate subjects, whose attachment to the illustrious house of Hanover, and the Constitution of the British Empire, has been received by us as the sacred injunction of our parents, has been inviolably preserved, will be carried with us to our graves, and transmitted to our posterity. Devoted to these interests, we rejoice in every opportunity which invites a declaration of our principles; we would not yield in these noble sentiments to any subjects of your Majesty’s Government, but, like them, be prepared with life and fortune to maintain the true dignity of your Majesty’s crown, the just, the useful, and practicable rights of the British Legislature.

Inspired with these sentiments, we have no fear, Sire, in conveying to the throne the sense we have of the present situation of our Country, and of those steps which alone remain to rescue it from that impending danger into which it is plunged. We presume not to question the good intention of those who approach your Majesty with a different language; but, convinced that the measures which they recommend lead to irrecoverable ruin, it would ill become us to sit silent spectators in such an hour of danger; in an hour on whose resolves the fate of Britain hangs.

However just the claims of the British Parliament, however constitutional its sovereignty over every member of its extended Empire, the situation of America we apprehend to be such as renders it imprudent, and of no advantage to the common welfare, (the great end of sovereignty,) to enforce all these claims. No benefit can be greater than what results from the union of affections, of commerce, and of interests, with such distant Provinces. We lament the interruption of this union, and trust that, in the return to it, your Majesty will find the true policy of your Government, the best happiness of your Kingdoms.

In this great national question, Sire, we decline the mention of our particular interests, (the manufacturers of this late flourishing Town and neighbourhood,) which are deeply affected by the unhappy differences with your American Provinces, and will, we more than fear, be attended with irreparable injury to the merchant and artisan; but we earnestly wish to obviate the conclusions which may be drawn from the present state of trade throughout the Kingdom at large, as if it stood in no need of the tribute which our American settlements have hitherto paid to it. To accidental and temporary causes—the peace of Poland, Russia, and Turkey, and the expected departure of the Spanish flota—its very fortunate support at this hour is owing.

This extraordinary flow must soon subside to its natural level, when the vacancy, which America has been accustomed to fill, will be dreadfully felt throughout the whole British trade; but the wisdom and providence of your Majesty will look forward to that period when the policy of other nations shall have possessed them of the manufactures which they at present demand of Britain; when the general decline of our European trade shall leave us no other resource, for supporting our rank in Europe, than a friendly and commercial interest in our American Colonies, which may know no limits to their increase from the parent which protects and smiles upon them. From this approaching fate save us, Sire, while safety may yet be found. The event of continual war may be dreadful, and repentance unavailing though universal. Victory cannot avert the mischief which it threatens, but returning peace carries no terrours with it; it promises every blessing which can secure to ages the glory of your Majesty’s house, the prosperity and happiness of your envied Country.

Receive, most gracious Sovereign, our humble request as the tribute of true loyalty: dissipate the tears of your afflicted people. In your Majesty’s goodness, stay the hand of war, and recall into the bosom of peace and grateful subjection your American subjects, by a restoration of those measures which long experience has shown to be productive of the greatest advantages to this late united and flourishing Empire.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

At a meeting of the Council of Safety of Maryland, at Chestertown, in Kent County, on Tuesday, the 20th day of October, 1775, were present:

The Hon. Matthew Tilghman, Esq., James Hollyday, Thomas Smyth, Richard Lloyd, and Henry Hooper, Esquires; the Hon. Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Esquire, Thomas Johnson, Jun., Charles Carroll, Barrister, Robert Alexander, and Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, Esquires.

The Hon. Matthew Tilghman, Esq., Richard Lloyd, Thomas Smyth, and Henry Hooper, Esquires, having previously signed the Association, were qualified, before Emory Sudler, Esq., by taking the oath prescribed by the Convention.

Eleazer McComb was chosen Clerk, and qualified before Mr. Sudler, by taking the oath directed by the Convention.

The Council adjourned till to-morrow morning, at nine o’clock.

Saturday, October 21, 1775.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment.

In consequence of an application made by Mr. William Whetcroft, of Annapolis, the Council agreed as follows, viz:

The Council of Safety promise Mr. William Whetcroft, that in case he will, next spring, import a sufficient number of workmen, and will deliver, for the use of this Province, for every week for two years then next following, fifty good substantial proved Muskets, three and a half feet long in the barrel, and of three-quarters of an inch in the bore, with good double Bridle Locks; black walnut or maple Stocks, and plain, strong Brass Mounting; Bayonets, with Steel Blades, seventeen inches long; Steel Ramrods; double Screws; Priming Wires and Brushes fitted thereto; with a pair of Brass Moulds for every eighty Muskets, to cast twelve Bullets on one side, and on the other side to cast Shot of such size as the Musket will chamber three of them, wholly made within this Province—the publick will, provided the differences continue between Great Britain and the Colonies, take the said fifty stands per week, at the rate of four Pounds, common money, per stand, or for such part of the said two years as the said differences shall continue; but if, happily, there should be a reconciliation between Great Britain and the Colonies, after the said Workmen shall embark, and before the end of the said two years, that then the publick will, if the said reconciliation shall take place before the said workmen shall have been set to work, take an assignment of the contracts made by the said Whetcroft with them, and pay him not only his actual expenses in procuring and importing the said workmen, but also forty Shillings sterling, for each of the said workmen imported, for his trouble. And if such reconciliation shall take place after any delivery of the said stands of Arms, and before the end of the said two years, that then the publick will make an allowance to the said Whetcroft, in proportion to the part of the two years then unexpired, on such assignment as aforesaid being made.

It is agreed, that it shall be at the option of Mr. Whetcroft to fit eight hundred of the Muskets, first delivered, with imported Locks, provided the prime cost of the said Locks be not less than five Shillings sterling each.

It is understood that the importation of the said workmen shall be at the expense and risk of Mr. Whetcroft.

Ordered, That a copy of the aforegoing Agreement, signed by the Clerk, be delivered to Mr. Whetcroft, and that it be kept secret.

The Council adjourned to three o’clock, P. M., and met pursuant to adjournment.