tion of commerce with the associated Provinces in North America, no adequate consumption can be found but in Great Britain and Ireland for those parts of the produce of the Sugar Colonies which used to be given in exchange for lumber and provisions, and consumed in North America.

That it is the opinion of your memorialists, that stopping the distillation of grain in Great Britain and Ireland, (in like manner as it was stopped in Great Britain by the acts of Parliament passed in the 30th, 32d, and 33d years of the reign of His Majesty King George the Second,) would materially promote such consumption, and thereby enable them to purchase some provisions and lumber wherever they may be found.

That it is the opinion of your memorialists, that reducing the duty of excise payable upon the importation of rum into Great Britain and Ireland, and from spirits drawn from molasses in Great Britain and Ireland, so far as to accommodate its price to the various uses of manufactures and consumption, to which spirituous liquors are commonly applied, would materially promote such consumption.

Your memorialists having thus submitted to your Lordships their sentiments of what may afford some immediate, though inadequate relief to their impending distress, are nevertheless of opinion, that peace only, and only such a peace as will restore the ancient intercourse between the West-India Islands and the Northern Continent of America, to the general harmony and lasting benefit of the whole British empire, can effectually prevent the evils with which they are more than threatened.

That your memorialists have informed your Lordships of their wants and their propositions for relief, are anxious to be forthwith enabled to give such directions to their agents abroad for the future management of their property and concerns as may correspond with the countenance and encouragement they hope to receive from Administration.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO WILLTAM SPEAR.

SIR: We are sorry to hear of the seizure of the vessels you mention in yours of the 7th; however, we hope the report about Neilt's schooner may not be true. As we may probably think of giving some further instructions to your Captain, we shall take it as a favour if, when he comes down, you will accompany him.We are, &c.

To William Spear, Esq.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO DELEGATES IN CONGRESS.

GENTLEMEN: The Convention in consequence of the desire of the Congress, had ordered three companies of our Minute-Men to march to the assistance of the Counties of Accomack and Northampton, in Virginia; two of them are already, as we hear, at their stations, and you will see by the enclosed, the reason why the other is prevented from complying with the orders of the Convention. We would, were it in our power, with great readiness spare the arms wanted. Since the rising of the Convention till Friday last, we have not heard from the Eastern Shore. The communication having been cut off by the frost, we send you the letters, that you may know the state of the affairs, and, if necessary, apprize the Congress of it.

We are, &c.

To the Deputies for Maryland, in Congress.

STEPHEN WEST TO GABRIEL DUVALL.

Woodyard, Monday, February 12, 1776.

SIR: I received your letter of the 6th, by order of the Council of Safety, respecting my powder and gunlocks. As to the first, a certificate and receipt with the other papers were lodged some days past by my son with the Treasurer, who, as I wanted the money, was so civil as to pay it to my son. If any formality further is necessary, I must pray the favour of the honourable Council of Safety, and grant it, the powder and lead, upon producing my receipt, and their order will be instantly delivered. Mean time, it is under the care and eye of the Committee—the quantity five hundred and seventy-five pounds powder, sixteen hundred pounds of lead and shot. As to gunlocks, I was desired when I was at Annapolis to keep what I had, and what cuttoe knives also. I sent upon account of both, viz: ninety-two gun-locks, price from seven shillings six pence, to sixteen shillings six pence—the average, thirteen shillings three pence, which I believe you will find among the Secret Committee papers. The qualities are various—some plain, some single bridle, some double, but all pretty good as those prices can afford. We have some locks hereabouts that cost eighteen shillings, sterling, at London, and I have seen some at thirty-seven shillings six pence, sterling. Those I have will, I believe, do pretty well. I could have sold them to better advantage to the Virginia agents, but as I supposed sometime or other our people would prepare for defence, and my smith's repairing firearms, and wanting locks, I kept them. I am very indifferent about selling them, but if the honourable Council of Safety desire to have them they are at their service. I believe I may have one hundred. I bought most of them in the South Branch of Virginia. As to the cuttoes, I have two hundred and thirty-one, as you will see by the account. My brimstone cost me more than the publick offers. I lost not a moment in communicating the letter directed to T. C, S. W., and W. T. W., and setting engines to work, and I believe we shall succeed, but we want money to exchange. Of this more hereafter. My best respects attend the honourable Council, and am, sir, your very humble servant,

STEPHEN WEST.

To Mr. Gabriel Duvall, Clerk of the Council of Safety.

THOMAS CONTEE AND OTHERS TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Upper-Marlborough, February 12, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: we received yours of the 2d instant, with the appointment, and have immediately set about the business. We find it may be necessary to have cash in hand to give exchange for specie, as we shall get small sums in many hands, and people will prefer having the money at the time they give up their gold and silver. This mode would save us much trouble, and we presume that it would forward the business. If you was to send us down fifteen hundred pounds, common money, immediately, by some safe hand, and each of us would be accountable for five hundred pounds. We wish it may be in our power to collect a much larger sum in this County. If so, we shall apply for more when we return the former sum in specie.

We are, gentlemen, with great respect, your most obedient servants,

THOMAS CONTEE,

STEPHEN WEST,

WILLIAM T. WOOTTON.

To the Honourable Council of Safety of Maryland.

COLONEL H. HOLLINGSWORTH TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Cecil County, Head of Elk, February 12, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: On my return home, I find our commissions for this battalion are not come to hand, which induces me to conclude they are not made out, and in the return, now with you, I apprehend an Adjutant is omitted. I am this day desired (by Colonel Charles Rumsey, who is now called from home) to recommend to your Honours, Mr. James Luker, as a suitable person for Adjutant for this Battalion, and to pray in his behalf, that a commission be made out for said Luker, (as Adjutant), to come up with the other commissions for the battalion, with the bearers Messrs. Ewing and Gilpin, if convenient; as some of the companies are rather ticklish, the forwarding the commissions may be of particular service.

Permit me, in behalf of Colonel Rumsey, to style myself, gentlemen, your most obedient, and most humble servant,

H. HOLLINGSWORTH, Lieutenant-Colonel.

To the Honourable Council of Safety of Maryland.

GEORGE STRICKER TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Fredericktown, February 12, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Mr. Thomas Smyth, my First Lieutenant, waits on you, to receive the money necessary to arm and