of an unguarded expression, joined to the most determined resolution of promoting the interest, happiness, and pros perity of America, (according to the best of my power and capacity,) can obtain your forgiveness, I shall then think myself extremely happy in being re-established in the good graces of my counlry.

THOMAS JOHNSTON.

To Mr. ALEXANDER PURDIE:

SIR: Please to insert the above in your paper at the request of the Committee of Charlotte.

By order of the Committee:

WILLIAM JAMESON, Clerk.

STEPHEN WEST TO MR. BURGESS.

Woodyard, January 30, 1776.

SIR: I wrote to you pretty fully from Fredcricktown, to the care of Mr. Sprigg and Mr. Hall, and wrote also to those gentlemen. I hope you, and your spouse and family have been happily situated this Winter. I have just received a letter from your brother-in law, Captain Robinson, who is gone out Lieutenant in an armed vessel in the service of the Province. I shall give you his words: "I have another request to make you about a matter I am very anxious for, viz: that you will please to countenance my brother-in-law, Mr. Burgess; he is come over at an unlucky time for himself, as to what lie primarily intended, but he is remarkably ingenious, and well versed in drawing and in military matters; he may be a very useful hand at this time, should there occur any thing in which he could be employed. I am confident his conduct would give satisfaction."

So far your brother. Now, sir, in conformity to his letter, I have wrote to the honourable Council of Safety at Annapolis. If you have any desire of being employed, it will be your best way, I think, to wait upon them and offer your service; and if you have interest enough with Mr. Hall, either to go with you or unto the Council of Safety in your behalf, I think it might be of service. The small acquaintance between us prevents my saying further. My respect for Isaiah and all his friends is sincere.

And I am, with very good regard, sir, your friend and servant,

STEPHEN WEST.

To Mr. Burgess, at Hagerstown.
P. S. If you come this way, I shall be glad to see you.

STEPHEN WEST TO DANIEL OF ST. THOMAS JENIFER.

Woodyard, January 30, 1776.

MY GOOD SIR: Having occasion for some money this week, I have sent up my son with the agreement, order, and certificate, relative to my powder and lead, with the amount. I shall be much obliged to you for your favour in despatching him, as he proposes to return the same day. I have wrote to the honourable Council of Safety upon this and other matters. From my agreement with the Committee of Secrecy, the Treasurer, I think, ought to pay me at once; but you know best whether you or your clerk must first give an order. What is the highest exchange you give for good bills? Please tell Willy. I enclose the papers.

I am, with sincere respect, your faithful and obedient servant,

STEPHEN WEST.

To the Honourable Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Esq.

STEPHEN WEST TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Woodyard, January 30, 1776.

HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN: I think it my duty to acquaint you that I have received a letter from Captain Isaiah Robinson, Lieutenant of the Hornet, Captain Stone, dated off Annapolis, desiring me to recommend him to your favour. I know him to be a very honest, sensible, faithful man; it will be seen how he behaves in his present station. He writes to me on another subject. I shall give you his words:

"I have another request to make you about a matter that I am very anxious for, viz: that you will please to countenance my brother-in-law, Mr. Burgess; he is come over at an unlucky time for himself, as to what he primarily intended, but as he is remarkably ingenious, and well versed in drawing, and in military matters, he may be a very useful hand at this time, should there occur any thing in which he could be employed. I am confident his conduct would give satisfaction."

So far Captain Robinson; and as to the gentleman In question, Mr. Burgess, I have seen him; he is a sensible, clever, middle-aged man, from Ireland; brought his wife and children, and is now at Hagerstown. His intention was for Fort-Chartres, on the Illinois, in the view of a grant there, where he has friends. I believe he is both a sea and land officer—perhaps of the Marines. He appears to me to be a man of great spirit and understanding; and, if he was to engage in the American service, would be of use. Captain Stull, or some of the officers there, might sound him, but I would rather wish that the honourable Council themselves were to examine him. I enclose a letter to him, which may be forwarded or not, as you judge proper.

Last night, about eight o'clock, came here a drummer, engaged by Colonel Murdock for Captain Sims's Company, on foot. He had a letter for Colonel Sims, and being resolute to proceed, I sent a servant and horses with him to Colonel Sims.

The man informed me that one of the Minute officers from Alexandria had wrote to his wife that Lord Dunmore was on his way up to Alexandria, and would be up as soon as the river permitted, therefore desired her to remove; that thirty wagons were constantly employed at Alexandria, removing their effects, &c. Colonel Sims wrote me late last night, that John Murdock, from Georgetown, wrote him by the drummer that Dunmore was above or about St. Mary's, in his way up to Potomack, and that they were there preparing to receive him; but whether the there related to Georgetown or St. Mary's, I cannot tell; possibly Georgetown. This intelligence I thought it my duty to communicate.

When I was at Annapolis, in December, I received an order from the Committee of Secrecy to keep what powder and lead I had for their use, and they look an obligation from me so to do till they ordered a person to view it, when I was to have an order for my money. The Convention ordered Colonel Sims for that purpose, who sent here Messrs. Crawford and Lee. They saw it, took samples, sent them to Annapolis, were proved, and found good. Since then, the same gentlemen came here upon some disturbance on the Potomack, and desired, in the name of the Committee of Observation, that for safety it might be removed, under their inspection, to Marlborough. Accordingly, the next day I examined and weighed it all; had it put into good tight barrels, well coopered, carefully packed with hay, in trunks, well corded, and sent to Marlborough, according to the gentlemen's directions. There the whole lies ready for removal, and I desire to be paid, for which reason I send the necessary papers and authorities. I have an immediate occasion for the money, or I should not, just now, have sent. I apprehend the trunks and cording are absolutely necessary for the safe-keeping and transportation, but if thought otherwise, I will very readily keep them. I have been very exact and careful in this business, which I hope the honourable Council will approve of.

At a time when there is so much to be done as I think would employ every zealous man, I wonder to see so little stirring hereabouts, and my own busy head and fingers without a task—it is a very happy circumstance for me at this time, and I rejoice that matters are in other and abler hands. My good wishes and endeavours shall never be-wanting on any occasion.

With the greatest esteem and respect, I am, honourable gentlemen, your most faithful and obedient servant,

STEPHEN WEST.

To the Honourable Council of Safety.

P. S, Mr. Crawford this day examined the powder and saw the lead weighed, of which he has given a certificate annexed to this order of the Committee of Secrecy. My son will wait on you, and receive the money, and take in my obligation of delivering, if necessary.

S. W.