paid to his Excellency, in sterling money or good bills of exchange, drawn or endorsed by him for that particular purpose, as in payment of his salary as Governour, agreeable to the instruction before mentioned.

As to the extract relative to the payment of the Proprietary’s quit-rents, and other dues, in the present Continental and Convention currency, the Board recommend it to the Agent to transmit, by the earliest opportunity, to the guardians of the Lord Proprietary, a full state of the nature of the Continental and Convention money, and to act in his department, in receiving or refusing the same, as the said guardians shall direct and appoint.

The Agent likewise informs the Board that some Proclamation warrants have lately been applied for and issued, to affect lands where the certificates had been compounded upon, but had been mislaid, or patent not taken out, or quit-rents not paid.

The Board, therefore, on mature consideration, are of opinion, and advise that Proclamation warrants, in such case, ought not to be issued without notice thereof, and summons given to the party affected, on application for the same, and a return upon oath, of the service thereof, produced upon all occasions.

And, further, the Board recommend to the Judges of the Land Office to pay attention to the same, with respect to all Proclamation warrants now depending, or that may hereafter be returned.

And the Clerk of this Board is directed to furnish them with a copy of the above recommendation.

True copy:        JAMES BROOKS, Clerk of the Council.

EASTERN SHORE (MARYLAND) COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

At a meeting of the Eastern Shore branch of the Council of Safety of Maryland, at Chestertown, in Kent County, on Friday, the 17th of November, 1775, present: Robert Goldsborough, James Hollyday, Richard Lloyd, Thomas Smith, and Henry Hooper, Esquires.

Robert Goldsborough, Esq., having previously signed the Association, and qualified before Emory Sudler, Esq., by taking the oath prescribed by the Convention.

Isaac Atkinson, who was sent under a guard from the Committee of Observation for Somerset County to that of Talbot, and from thence to the Committee of this County, was ordered to be brought before the Council; and on his appearing, a Letter to the Council of Safety for the Eastern Shore of Maryland, from the Committee of Observation of Somerset County, and sundry Depositions taken before the said Committee of Somerset County, and hereto annexed, purporting a charge against the said Atkinson, of his having, since the breaking up of the last Provincial Convention of this Province, been raising a Company in Somerset County, to oppose the measures of the Continental Congress and Convention of this Province, and of his having declared he would protect any set of men who would not sign the Association—were read to the said Atkinson, and he was required to answer thereto.

The said Atkinson denied the charge.

The Board adjourned till to-morrow morning.

Saturday, November 18, 1775.

The Board met according to adjournment; and taking into consideration the proceedings of yesterday,

Resolved, That this Board will adjourn to Thursday, the 30th day of this instant, (November,) at Talbot County Court-House, to examine into the said charge.

Resolved, That the said Atkinson be committed to the custody of the Committee of Observation for Kent County, to be by them kept under a safe guard until Monday, the 27th day of this instant; and on that day, or as soon after as may be, delivered by them into the custody of the Committee of Observation for Talbot County, to be by them kept under a safe guard until the meeting of this Board at the time and place aforesaid, and to be then and there produced in custody as aforesaid.

Ordered, That the Clerk of this Board deliver a copy of the charge aforesaid, and a copy of the Resolution of adjournment aforesaid, to the said Isaac Atkinson, that he may have an opportunity of procuring witnesses in his defence, if he think fit.

Ordered, That a copy of the above Resolution be transmitted to the Committee of Observation of Somerset County, and that they send the witnesses, whose depositions were transmitted, and any other witnesses in support of the charge, to this Board, at the time and place aforesaid.

The Board received a Letter from Robert Done, Henry Johnson, and Peter Chaille, of Worcester County, by the hands of Mr. Robert Dennis, hereunto annexed, and an Affidavit of Mary Robins enclosed therein, and hereunto also annexed.

Upon considering the same, and examining Mr. Dennis, to whom the said Letter refers, as to the state and condition of the said County,

Ordered, That one barrel of Powder and three hundred weight of Lead, out of the publick Magazine in Chestertown, be, as soon as possible, forwarded to the Committee of Observation for Worcester County, under the direction of Thomas Smyth, Esq., a Member of this Board, and that the following Letter to the said Committee be forwarded by the said Mr. Dennis.

By the Eastern Shore branch of the Council of Safety of Maryland, Chestertown, November 18, 1775.

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GENTLEMEN: This Board has received, by the hands of Mr. Dennis, a letter from Messrs. Done, Johnson, and Chaille, and an affidavit enclosed therein, of which you have herewith copies, and have examined Mr. Dennis, to whom they referred us for further information. In consequence of which, this Board has ordered one barrel of powder and three hundred weight of lead to be forwarded as soon as possible, and lodged with Captain James Campbell, at Vienna, for the use of your County; and it is supposed it will be there by Wednesday night next, where it is expected you, or some persons by your direction and appointment, will receive it.

This is all the Board think it can be justified in doing at present; but there will be a meeting of this Board at Talbot County Court-House, on Thursday, the 30th of this instant, where, if you think it necessary, there may be a further representation of the state of your County made to it. Should there be no immediate use of this ammunition, it is expected you will be particularly careful to preserve it.

It being represented to the Board, by Robert Goldsborough and Henry Hooper, Esquires, two of the Board, that there is a necessity for a quantity of Powder and Lead in Dorchester County,

Ordered, That one barrel of Powder and three hundred weight of Lead, out of the publick Magazine at Chestertown, be forthwith forwarded to the Committee of Observation for that County, under the direction of Thomas Smyth, Esq., a Member of this Board.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Eastern Shore pay to John Garrett, or his order, for Fire-Wood and attendance, the sum of thirty Shillings, common money.

The Board adjourns to Thursday, the 30th day of November instant, at Talbot County Court-House.

A true copy from the Minutes:

ELEAZER MCCOMB, Clerk.

Letters and Depositions mentioned in the foregoing Proceedings, viz:

Somerset County, November 7, 1775.

GENTLEMEN: This will be handed to you by a number of gentlemen whom we have appointed to carry Isaac Atkinson to you, agreeable to the resolves of the Provincial Convention; he having been guilty of sundry matters contrary to the resolves of the Continental Congress and Provincial Convention, and highly inimical to the liberties of America, as will appear by the enclosed depositions.

We are, Gentlemen, your very humble servants.

Signed per order of the Committee:

PETER WATERS, Clerk.

Information being lodged with the Committee of Somerset County, that Isaac Atkinson was raising a Company, contrary to the Resolves of the Congress and Convention, Mr. Atkinson appeared, and the following Depositions were taken: