have had the examination of. But three of them which I also enclose. They are, also, unable to travel as yet, and so are gone on board again to be subsisted there out of the cargo, by Captain Howes's consent, until they are able to travel to, Court, or otherwise. Mott and Peters, belong to this country, and Peters has a wife and family at Salem.

If the Council have occasion for them, they shall be gent to them, but it appears to me that they were forced into the service. But Heath appears to me to be a bad man, and ought to have good care taken of him. My son, Colonel Otis, has ordered him to your Honours, with a proper guard.

I am, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servant,

JAMES OTIS.

To the President of the Honourable Council, in Watertown.

JOSEPH OTIS TO COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS.

Barnstable, February 1, 1776.

HONOURED SIR: By Captain Daniel Howes, I have the pleasure to send to the Council a master of a vessel taken off our harbour. The papers Captain Howes has will inform as to the circumstances. The hands that are aboard appear to be very honest men, and forced into the service, and are about entering aboard an armed vessel fixing from here.

Colonel Elisha Doan has sent two vessels from Chatham to the West-Indies, within a fortnight, and Captain Solomon Davis is fixing two from here. I hope the honourable Council and House will inquire whether these men have, leave, if not, I hope there will be proper orders about them.

I have the honour to be yours, and the honourable Council's obedient servant,

JOSEPH OTIS.

To the Honourable the President of the Council, at Watertown.

Williamsburgh, Virginia, February 2, 1776.

We have the pleasure to inform the publick, that Colonel Charles Carter, of Stafford, goes prosperously on with his manufactory of Saltpetre, and gives it as his opinion, that were people in general to pay proper attention to that business, Virginia might pay her quota of the expenses of the war by it, as every housekeeper can, with much ease, make more or less. That gentleman writes on the 21st instant: "I have got the following Saltpetre Works established, and am now on my way to many estates, where I hope that more will be set on foot in a very short time; and can with truth aver, that nothing but the neglect of the overseers can frustrate the scheme. No proper directions for making saltpetre having appeared in print, it may be expected that I should publish my own process; but as it would take up too much of your paper, I shall only mention, that any person may be taught by applying to any of the following gentlemen: Messrs. Gilpin and Hartshorn, Alexandria; Mr. Robert Bailey Colchester; Mr. John Murray, Dumfries; Mr. John Smith, Aquia; Mr. Joshua Brown, at Ludlow Farm, in Stafford; Mr. William Nelson, in Caroline; and Mr. William Griffin, of King and Queen. At Aquia we now make about twelve pounds of refined saltpetre per day, at Dumfries, eight pounds; at Ravensworth, twenty pounds; at Alexandria, ten pounds; at Colchester, six pounds; and, when the whole gets in motion, I do not doubt making from five hundred to one thousand weight per day, which I hope will add spirit to our glorious cause."

THOMAS JOHNSON, JUN., TO DANIEL OF ST. THOMAS JENIFER.

Fredericktown, February 2, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I yesterday received yours, advising me of your meeting in Baltimore the 29th past. My family's being several of them indisposed, the badness of the weather, and the probability of your breaking up but a little after the time I could get to Baltimore, has prevented my setting out. Mr. Stand's inability to go to Philadelphia will shorten my stay here.

I am told that Clapham, of Virginia, agreed yesterday with our gunsmiths for a number of rifles, and that the Virginians are purchasing us all they can. I fear, unless what useful guns that can be bought are purchased immediately for our troops, we shall have soldiers without arms. The one hundred pounds sent me by Mr. Ford, will buy only twenty rifles.

Mr. Hughes has sanguine expectations of complying with his contract for cannon.

I am, dear sir, your very affectionate friend,

THOMAS JOHNSON, JUN.

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

FIELD-OFFICERS OF ELK-RIDGE BATTALION TO. MARYLAND. COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Elk-Ridge, February, 2, 1775,

GENTLEMEN: The honourable Convention having been pleased to appoint us Field-Officers for the Elk-Ridge Battalion of Militia, and we, well knowing the situation of said battalion respecting fire-arms, many being without any, and others in such order that, were we called to action, would not be able to make a proper defence; and we, considering that at a very small expense to the Province many of the guns belonging to the poorer people, who cannot conveniently pay for the repairing and putting them in proper order, could be made fit for use, beg leave to request of your Honours, that, should you think it expedient that said arms should be repaired, to signify the same to us, and we will have them done in the most speedy, cheapest, and effectual manner.

We are, respectfully, gentlemen, your most obedient servants,

THOMAS DORSEY,

JOHN DORSEY,

EDWARD GAITHER, JUN.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety for the Province of Maryland.

LINDENBERGER AND McCLELLAN TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Baltimore-Town, February 2, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: At the sitting of the last Convention we brought a sample of gunpowder made by us. Thomas Johnston, Esq., acquainted us it was approved of, and a resolve was made, and entered, to lend us (if required) any sum of money, not amounting above one thousand pounds, without interest, for two years; but, as the gentlemen in Convention and we did not know on what terms we should agree, we were informed the matter should be left to the consideration of the Council of Safety, which would sit in Baltimore, and we, therefore, beg leave to acquaint the gentlemen, whenever they shall think proper, we shall attend.

Gentlemen, we are, with due respect, your very humble

GEORGE LINDENBERGER,

JOHN MCCLELLAN.

To the Council of Safety of Maryland.

SAMUEL CHASE TO DANIEL OF ST. THOMAS JENIFER.

Charlestown, February 2,177G.

DEAR SIR: Captain Nathaniel Ramsey informs me, that he can procure about one hundred and forty yards of country-made cloth, at about eight shillings, currency, per yard, and linen, country-made, from two shillings four pence, to two shillings eight pence, fit and proper for hunting-shirts, enough for his company. The cash will be necessary. I once more take the liberty to remind you of the gunlocks in the hands of Mr. S. West.

I shall be glad to render the Province, or you, any service in the city of Philadelphia.

I am, sir, with regard, your obedient servant,

SAMUEL CHASE.

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

MARYLAND DELEGATES TO COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Philadelphia, February 2, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Last night we received your letters by Maynard, covering the resolutions of Congress relative to the plates and paper for the present currency. As the furnishing devices is a business to which we are entire stran-