furnish them with cash to exchange, without which, they tell us, many people will not part with the gold and silver. We would willingly supply Provincial money, but the state of our Treasury prevents us. The demands are very considerable for raising clothing, and paying the troops, and furnishing rations, to say nothing of other disbursements. If you do not send us down the plates and paper soon, the Treasury will be totally exhausted; therefore, we take the liberty again to remind you of forwarding them to us.

With regard to gold and silver, we think something handsome might be collected, but cannot say how much. Should the Congress approve of sending down Continental money, we will engage to return gold and silver for whatever they send, not exceeding eight thousand pounds, or to return the money again. Without this, we apprehend gold and silver cannot be procured, in any considerable quantity, until the new emission of our money, when we can supply the collectors with cash. We lay the affair truly before you, and must leave it to yourselves to move the Congress, or not, as you may think best. We wish to hear from you on every important occasion, and are much obliged to Mr. Alexander for the intelligence he hath been so kind as to communicate to us, from time to time.

Our troops are drawing together very fast. We should be glad to have the arms intended for this Province as soon as possible, that we may distribute them. The manufacture of guns goes on but slowly amongst us, from the best information we can get. Pray purchase, for the use of this Province, fifty reams of cartridge-paper, and send it to us by the first opportunity. We will remit the money as soon as we are furnished with the cost of it.

We are, &c.

To the Deputies of Maryland in Congress.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO COLONEL DASHIELL.

SIR: We received yours of the 10th instant, enclosing a list of officers for Captain Wales's Company, who, you say, have resigned. This may be the case, but the Council of Safety think it not regular to issue new commissions, until the old ones are transmitted to us, and, therefore, have not sent them. We have before us, also, a petition from the Eden-School Company, for a change of officers. Their Captain, Andrew Adams, they allege, had a commission made out by the Convention surreptitiously and fraudulently. This, we think, ought most properly to be referred to the Convention themselves, which will meet again in April, and all parties will then have an opportunity of being heard. We cannot think of displacing officers appointed by the Convention, without a full hearing, and we recommend an application to them, as most proper, under all circumstances; and are, your most, &c.

To Colonel George Dashiell.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO QUEEN-ANNE'S COUNTY COMMITTEE.

GENTLEMEN: We have received your letter, respecting the Minute Company under the command of Captain Kent, and are much obliged to you for communicating to us the contents of this letter.

We conceived, some time ago, that it might be advisable to write to Captain Kent on the principal subjects he has mentioned in his letter, and have accordingly wrote, and are in great hopes he will thereby receive every satisfaction we have it in our power to afford.

To the Committee of Observation, Queen-Anne's County.

J. A. THOMAS TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Leonardtown, February 24, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: At the time I waited on you at Annapolis, I gave orders to Mr. Stewart, the First Lieutenant of my company, to be at Leonardtown, with the party of thirty men, which he returned to me, on Tuesday last, but have heard not a word, either of him or the men, since that time. The men inlisted by me are now here, supported by Mr. Ford, and we are endeavouring to instruct them as fast as possible we can. I am sorry to request that you will interfere in the business, and order Mr. Stewart down, with the thirty men that he has inlisted.

Information was lodged this day with the Committee, that two men, well dressed, were passing through this County, who, from their appearance and behaviour, the Committee had reason to suspect. They, therefore, requested me to send after them, which I immediately did; but the two men that I sent were delayed a considerable time, from the difficulty of procuring horses. I would beg you to consider whether, as it will be frequently necessary to advise you of what may be passing here, and the numberless occasions we must have, it would not be proper to allow a horse for the use of the company. If you think it proper, be, pleased to acquaint me by Mr. Neale, who will deliver you this. I have, also, to request that you will send me about one hundred pounds, the money that I last received being all expended in board, blankets, clothes, and neither of the two last yet fully got. Mr. Neale also brings up seven gun-locks, sent by the Committee, and six purchased here by me, the account of which Mr. Neale will deliver. We have, as yet, received no powder from Charles County, and, from what I hear, there is no reason to expect any. I am much afraid we shall be pushed for a drummer and fifer. I have been informed by Mr. Davidson, the Second Lieutenant, that there is a servant in Baltimore, who has two years to serve, who is a good fifer, which he will sell for fifteen pounds, or thereabout; as his wages in one year would pay that sum, and find his clothes, I should be much obliged to you to allow me to purchase him. Of the several matters be pleased to inform me by Mr. Neale.

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

J. A. THOMAS. To the Council of Safety of Maryland,

NEW-JERSEY PROVINCIAL CONGRESS TO CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.

[Read February 26, 1776.—Referred to Mr. MoKean, Mr. J. Adams, and Mr. L. Morris]

In Provincial Congress, New-Jersey, Brunswick, ) February 24, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: This Congress having taken into their serious consideration the necessity of defending such parts of this Colony as are more immediately exposed to an invasion of the enemy, are of opinion, that the city of Perth-Amboy, in East-jersey, from its open channel and safe harbour, and from its local situation, is a place deserving the utmost attention at this time. As the city of New-York has, at present, a large body of troops, and fortifications are now erecting for its defence, it is more than probable that the enemy, sensible of these preparations, will attempt a lodgment at Perth-Amboy, from whence incursions might easily be made into the heart of the country, before a sufficient force can be collected to oppose them.

That part of West-Jersey, which is situate on the River Delaware, below Philadelphia, appears also to merit great attention at this time. Opposite to Reedy-Island, at a place called Elscnborough, in the County of Salem, a landing might easily be effected. This is within forty miles of Philadelphia, in a country abounding with provisions; and from whence an army might easily make its way to Cooper's Ferry, in a very short space of time.

This Congress would be happy if they had it in their power to take into pay a sufficient body of troops for the defence of both these important posts; but as this will be an expense too great for this Colony to support on its own bottom, and as the being guarded at all points is a matter of the utmost importance to the common cause, more especially to the cities of Philadelphia and New-York, this Congress beg leave to submit to the consideration of your honourable House the urgent necessity of making some immediate preparation to prevent any attempts of the enemy to land an army in those parts of this Province, which appear to be so situated as greatly to facilitate the success of such an attempt. One or two battalions, with two Artillery companies, may be sufficient for this important service; and we humbly submit to your consideration the necessity and propriety of such a step being immediately adopted.