of every thing, but good sense, good morals, good laws, good Government, and our good Creator.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO COLONEL JOSEPH SIM

SIR: Upon inspecting the return made by the Prince George's County Committee, of the Nottingham Company, we find that Mr. Fielder Bowie hath been elected First Lieutenant, Mr. William Newman Dorsett, Second Lieutenant, and Mr. Thomas Hoye, Ensign, thereof.

In the line of preferment generally adopted in the military department, on the promotion of the Captain, the First Lieutenant succeeds him, and the other commissioned officers in like manner, by which means the nomination of a new Ensign alone will become necessary.

The Council have thought it most expedient to follow this mode, but look upon themselves at full liberty to deviate therefrom, on special and good reasons. It does not appear to them from your letter or otherwise, that the gentlemen the company wish not to be promoted, have done any act to forfeit the good opinion of their country, or that they are in any manner disqualified. We have sent Captain Bowie's commission, but keep back the commissions for the other officers till we have your reasons, or that of the company, for departing from the line of preferment.

We are, &c.

BENJAMIN MACKALL AND OTHERS TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Calvert County, February 20, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: We have received yours of the 2d instant, enclosing a resolve of Congress, and an order by the Council of Safety appointing us to collect all the gold and silver in the County. We have received and engaged seven hundred pounds currency, and expect, in the course of another week, to procure about two or three hundred pounds more. Much more might have been collected had the paper currency been sent down to give in exchange. We hope you will inform us when you would have the gold and silver brought to Annapolis. Continental money is asked in exchange for most of the cash we have collected or engaged.

We are, gentlemen, your most humble servants,

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland

RICHARD BARNES TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Leonardtown, February 20, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I received yours by post, appointing Colonel Plater, Mr. Briscoe, and myself, to collect all the gold and silver coin that can be found in the County. On consideration, find it impracticable to be done, unless we had money in hand to exchange, as it must be collected in small quantities, and, even in that case, it is probable no great sum can be obtained; however, my endeavours shall not be wanting to procure it.

I remain, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

To the Council of Safety of Maryland.

PHILADELPHIA COMMITTEE.

In Committee of Inspection and Observation,

Whereas, the Continental Congress did lately resolve, "That if any person should be so lost to all virtue and regard for this country as to refuse to receive the Bills of Credit emitted by the authority of Congress, or should obstruct or discourage the currency thereof, and be convicted by the Committee of the City, County, or District, where he should reside, such person should be deemed, published, and treated as an enemy of his country, and be precluded from all trade or intercourse with the inhabitants of these Colonies." And whereas, Thomas Rogers and Joseph Sermon, both of this city, having been charged with a breach of this resolve, in refusing to receive the above Bills of Credit in payment, appeared before the Committee for the City and Liberties, acknowledged the truth of the charge, and alleged, in their defence, scruples of conscience thereupon, as being money emitted for the purpose of war.

The Committee, pursuant to the trust reposed in them, proceeded to consider the charge and defence, and were of opinion, that if such allegation was true, yet, as the Congress have made no exception, and as such conduct tends to subvert the most essential rights and liberties of their fellow-citizens, and, by destroying the means of defence, to expose their lives and properties to unavoidable ruin, it ought not to be admitted. But it appears by their own acknowledgments, that the above persons have heretofore received, and do continue to receive, Bills of Credit emitted in this and the neighbouring Provinces, though frequently issued for the purposes of war, therefore, such objection is not well founded, or the present pretence consistent with their former conduct. This Committee, therefore, (the parties having declared they did not mean to appeal to any other Board,) do unanimously hold up to the world the said Thomas Rogers and Joseph Sermon as enemies to their country, and preclude them from all trade or intercourse with the inhabitants of these Colonies.

To the Honourable Provincial Congress now convened in NEW-YORK:

Permit us, gentlemen, to recommend to your consideration a worthy person for an officer in the ensuing campaign in the Continental service, by name, Moses Youmans, a person well known to us. He served the last campaign in Colonel Clinton's Regiment, and did officiate in the office of Sergeant-Major, and, also, served as Adjutant, and we found him exceeding well qualified for any duty that can be required to execute the office of Adjutant; and, by means of his conduct and behaviour, he was exceeding well beloved both by officers and privates in general, in the said Regiment, and, after the surrender of Montreal, he had the refusal of a Second Lieutenant's commission. His circumstances at that time were such relating to his family, that, to his heart's grief, he could not accept; but then declared, that if Providence would spare his life and health, he would engage the next campaign; and, gentlemen, we, consistent with our duty, and the particular regard we have for the said Youmans, beg to be excused making free to recom mend the said Youmans for Adjutant, if you, in your great wisdom, should think proper to appoint him, and you will oblige your humble servants, who subscribe their names as friends to the American cause.

CORNELIUS WYNKOOP, Lieut. Col.

ELIAS HASBROUCK, Captain.

P. ROGGEN, Lieutenant.

To the Chairman of the Provincial Congress, now convened at New-York.

COLONEL DRAKE TO JOHN McKESSON.

Home's Hook, February 20, 1776.

SIR: Be pleased to give the commissions for Lieutenant Micajah Fuller, and Ensign Deliverance Brown, in Captain Steenrod's company of my regiment, to Captain Steenrod.

Captain Grey has joined my regiment, with forty-ninemen, including officers; he has some more, who have notyet arrived. Would be glad the commissions could be immediately made out for his company. He will deliver youa certificate from the Committee of Bedford, of the election of himself and officers. From your most humble servant,

SAMUEL DRAKE, Colonel.

To John McKesson, Esq.

To the Gentlemen of the Provincial Congress.

The Petition of AZOR BETTS, humbly showeth:

That your petitioner, fully sensible of his former indiscretions, begs leave to return to a proper sense of his duty to his country. And your petitioner further most solemnly