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At a meeting, &c., Saturday, March 23, 1776, Present: His Honour the Governour, Honourable Deputy-Governour, Colonel Jabez Huntington, William Williams, Jedediah Elderkin, and Benjamin Huntington, Esquires. Voted, That Captain Theophilus Stanton, of Stonington, be, and he is, appointed Captain of the Row-Galley building at Norwich. Voted, That the Men raised, inlisted, and stationed on the Sea-Coasts of this Colony for defence, through the ensuing season, who shall find and equip themselves with good and sufficient Fire-Arms and Accoutrements, causing them to be appraised, shall be allowed three Shillings for the use of each Gun; and, if lost, spoiled, or damaged in the service, by inevitable Providence, the owner to be paid the value of such loss or damage sustained. Voted, That his Honour be desired to direct the Committee of the Lead-Mine at Middletown, as soon as may be, to forward one ton of said Lead to Mr. Nathaniel Shaw, of New-London, for the use of the Colony, as the Governour shall order. Voted, That Elijah Backus, Esq., be employed and desired, as soon as may be, to work and manufacture two Ship-Anchors, of twelve hundred weight each, for the use of the Colony. Voted, That the Row-Galley building at New-Haven be called the Whiting. And sundry Letters prepared, Copies, &c. And dismissed. At a meeting of the Governour and Council of Safety, at Norwich, March 27, 1776, Present: His Honour the Governour, his Honour the Deputy-Governour, Jabez Huntington, Jedediah Elderkin, and Benjamin Huntington, Esquires, Ordered Mr. James Tilley to purchase what Rope-Yarns he could of Mr. Evan Malbone, and what Yarns will be needful to furnish the Colony Ship with Cordage for Rigging, and manufacture the same at the cheapest rate that he can. C. DUGAN TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY. Baltimore, March 6, 1776. GENTLEMEN: Your favour is now before me, desiring my baking the remainder of your flour as quick as possible, which I am, not able to do, on account of the low price you have allowed. This last three months we have sunk considerable money in baking for you, owing to the great advance in the price of wood, wages, provisions, &tc.; that we have been obliged to make an entire stop of baking your flour in my hands, which we are sorry for. At the time I began to bake for you, wood was bought from eight shillings to ten shillings per cord, and most other articles in proportion. We have been obliged all this winter to give from twenty shillings to thirty shillings for wood, and much such prices for everything else. However, the bearer, Mr. Hollingsworth, can inform you better than I can of the rise of almost every necessary of life, and the impossibility of baking now for you at three shillings per hundred. I imagine we have got baked, of your flour, about one thousand barrels, and have yet on hand about four or five hundred barrels, yet unbaked, which I wish was baked, as it is growing very bad. I have a brig lying in Boston, New-England, that will carry about twelve hundred barrels of flour; a fine vessel, and well found; have a good man as master for her, that can be much depended on as to conduct and attachment to our cause. I would propose either selling her, or chartering to you; which, if we could agree, would have her ordered round immediately; and, as she is a small vessel, and counted a very fast, sailer, do think we could get her round with considerable safety; for, if the King’s ships were in our bay, of which she could hear at the Capes, must then go into Chincoteague, Sinepuxent, or some other inlet there. You will please take this into your consideration, and give me an answer in two or three days, when I expect to be with you in Annapolis for that purpose; as, also, to see what is to be done with the rest of your flour in my hands. And am, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servant, CUMBD. DUGAN. To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland. CALVERT COUNTY (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE.
Whereas a Man-of-War, supposed to be of twenty guns, or upwards, and two Tenders—one a Sloop, the other a Schooner—both armed vessels, have anchored off this shore yesterday afternoon, (the Man-of-War about six miles off, the Tenders close in shore, within one mile,) with design, as is suspected, that is inimical to this neighbourhood, having taken a New-England Vessel yesterday noon at the mouth of the River. The Committee consisting of the following gentlemen, viz: Colonel Benjamin Mackall, Major James Wilkinson, Messrs. Samuel Hance, Edward Reynolds, Walter Smith, Kenzy Johns, Dr. James Gray, Dr. E. Johnson, and Mr. James Heighe. Mr. Hance in the Chair; E. Johnson, Clerk. Resolved, That at this time of imminent danger the Colonel of this County be empowered, and he is hereby empowered, to station any number of the Militia of this County as he shall think proper, not exceeding one hundred men, to watch the motions of the said. Vessels, and to repel any force from them; and to empower the commanding officer, or officers, of the said guard to contract with any person or persons to supply with provisions the said guard. Ordered, That the Clerk do inform the honourable the Council of Safety of these proceedings, by post or express, directly, for their orders herein.
To the Honourable Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Esq. JOSHUA BEALL TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY. March 6, 1776. GENTLEMEN: I have agreed with William Thomas to act as Adjutant to the Twenty-Fifth Battalion of Militia. If a commission is to be filled up for him, please to enclose it to me. I have not yet heard that any persons are commissioned as Majors to this battalion. Captain Andrew Beall, it seems, has applied for one, and, I am told, is so sure of getting a Majority, that he has quit the command of his company as Captain. We have had great confusion about the appointment of Field-Officers already. I ordered a meeting of officers yesterday, many of whom attended, and find, by them, that Andrew Beall would be a person very disagreeable, both to themselves and companies. Some of the officers declare they will not be commanded by him, and seemed desirous that I should recommend gentlemen for Majors. This might be giving offence to many, as I at this time do not know who would be most proper persons for that post, I can only give it as my opinion, that Thomas Williams and Richard Hall, who were the choice of the majority of the officers heretofore, would be the most likely to give satisfaction to the officers and men in general. I am, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servant, JOSHUA BEALL. To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland. ROBERT TAYLOR TO JOHN HALL. SIR: As the Council of Safety seem to be at a loss who to appoint as Majors to our battalion, I shall take the liberty of recommending two gentlemen to your notice, viz: Captain Thomas Snowden and Lieutenant Walter Bowie; they are both very worthy, and I am sure will give general satisfaction. It is said our Quartermaster, Mr. Wootton, will be advanced; if he should, Mr. J. Magruder would be exceeding proud to succeed him in that business. I have nothing to add, only that I am, sir, your most humble servant, ROBERT TAYLOR. To John Hall, Esq MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO COMMITTEES IN FREDERICK COUNTY.
GENTLEMEN: You heretofore received from the Council of Safety an order to collect all the publick arms in your District, and return a state thereof. The publick service now requires that they should be sent down to Annapolis as soon as possible. We, therefore, request you to send whatever publick arms may be in your custody, or power,
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