and, to save your Honours the trouble of making one out, it is necessary to inform you that I decline serving in the above capacity, which I am induced to do for these reasons, viz:

I had the honour to command one of the oldest companies in the Province, and was recommended by the Committee to the Convention, as a proper person to be appointed Colonel of the Fourth Battalion. They being the representatives of the people, and a respectable body of men, I was impressed with a grateful sense of the favour conferred on me; the more so, as it was unsolicited. But their recommendation, for reasons which I am in some measure at a loss to suggest, did not meet with the approbation of the Convention; and a Lieutenant of a younger company, in another battalion, who was not recommended by the Committee to any office, was appointed, whose experience was not conspicuous, and whose assiduity in promoting the good of the cause we are justly engaged in, did not exceed my own. The First Lieutenant of my company was promoted to the appointment of First Major in the same battalion, by which means, was I to accept of the commission, I should be under the command of one who was formerly an inferior officer in a younger company, and of another who was an officer under me.

These reasons, I hope, will appear satisfactory to your Honours, and justify my resignation, especially as I find it impracticable for me, with honour under these circumstances, to render my country that service which I was inclined to do. I would not be understood (as it is far from my design) to cast reflection on the conduct of the Convention, or that I suspect them of being partial in the above appointments. I rather am inclined to believe it has proceeded from their being deceived by persons who they may have depended upon for information. In this opinion I am the more confirmed, from the many resignations of commissions, and from the complaints of the people, on account of the appointment of Field-Officers in this District.

I am, gentlemen, your very obedient servant,

PHILIP THOMAS.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

BENJAMIN RUMSEY TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Joppa, March 7, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I have received a letter from Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Hollingsworth, of the Head-of-Elk, in Cecil County, relative to the guns, in which he informs me that Mr. Johnson had acquainted him that I had some credentials or orders from the Council of Safety to him relative to the making of arms, and praying that, if I had, to despatch them forward by the first opportunity, as he had given the matter out; that the workmen were dispersed, and must be collected again, which he was willing to do, out of a hearty wish to forward the service. I have wrote him, in return, that the Council had delayed to answer his letter until they should be ascertained of getting locks; that the difficulty was in some measure removed, by the expectation of importing a quantity of them, and I did not doubt but the Council would answer his letter on their getting to Annapolis; that it would be necessary he should have a pattern, as all the guns must be made of one bore, or caliber, and length; but that, on inspection of my memorandums, I had it not in charge from the Council to make any agreement with him.

I have a letter also from my brother Colonel of the Second Battalion, in Cecil. Commissions for four companies in the battalion are, it seems, made out, the other four have none. This creates uneasiness; and he cannot, although very desirous of it, review them. He says the people are much discontented at the right of election being taken away. There is a letter from Mr. Gilpin on that subject in one of the bundles. He writes, as well as I remember, that Mr. Ramsay had made out the commissions, and left them at Mr. Pealse’s. Mr. Duvall promised to get them and send them up. It would answer good purposes, and avoid a good deal of confusion, to have the commissions in this battalion filled up. I enclose a commission resigned in Captain Stuart’s Company, in the Eighth Battalion, with the name of a person endorsed that would be agreeable to the company to have for their Ensign; in the lieu of the Ensign resigned, and should be obliged to you to expedite his commission. There are a good many vacancies in the Eighth Battalion. As soon as they can be collected together, a listwill be laid before you, in order that they may be filled up; indeed, did I know how to do it properly, I would do it now, as I do not know how soon we maybe called out to action, your advice to the Committee of Baltimore County of the 5th instant being laid before me last night, with the Brigadier’s order to hold ourselves in readiness. The men are undisciplined; they, therefore more especially require to be full officered; but, as we may want time to do that, I am determined to march with what we have, and have wrote circular letters to my Captains to hold themselves and companies in readiness to march on the first notice.

I wrote yesterday to Mr. Garrett about the bayonets, and shall communicate his answer as soon as received. In conversation with one of the officers of my battalion, he informs me Mr. Purviance has made a requisition of the guns which were in the hands of the Minute Company in this County; that twenty-eight had been sent, the other two have been carried off by two of the Minute Company who have inlisted in the regular service, and stationed at Baltimore; he could not recollect their names.

I am, gentlemen, your most humble servant,

BENJAMIN RUMSEY.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

In Committee of Observation, for Worcester County, Maryland, March 7, 1776.

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In pursuance of the resolves of the Convention, Mr. Jesse Gray made return of his company of Militia, consisting of eight non-commissioned officers and fifty privates; by which return it appears that said Jesse Gray is duly elected as Captain, Jesse Davis as First Lieutenant, James King as Second Lieutenant, and Elihu Hazzard as Ensign, of said company.

JENIFER AND HOOE TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Port Tobacco, March 7, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Captain Conway arrived opposite the mouth of Port Tobacco Creek about two o’clock this morning, and it being calm, and an ebb tide, he came here for orders about eight o’clock. I sent him on board again immediately, to proceed up the Eastern branch of this river till his vessel was fast aground, and then to deliver the powder to the Committee of Bladensburgh, if I am not there, without loss of time.

The letter from Mr. Harrison would have sent by express instantly, but Colonel Weare informs me he is pushing for Annapolis, and I concluded it would be as soon at hand by him.

Mr. Harrison writes me that Mr. Wicoff, of Martinico, has consigned some medicine to Jenifer & Hooe for sale. I have not received any directions from him about them, nor even an invoice. It seems his brothers at Philadelphia are to furnish directions about them; and if I find they are such as the Province will want, I shall delay the sale till I advise you thereof. I imagine Conway will be at Bladensburgh by this evening; and some time to-morrow I shall be there to receive your orders respecting the further destination of the vessel, and the disposal of the powder.

There came with Captain Conway a French Captain and six sailors, by which means, after he clears our coast, going out, the English men-of-war cannot seize him, as he will show French colours, French papers, and a French crew. I scarcely had time to ask either of the Captains any questions, thinking it unsafe to let the vessel lie here a moment; but if I find the Frenchman tolerably intelligent, I will bring him up from Bladensburgh to Annapolis, as Mr. Harrison seems to think he may be a serviceable man, if encouraged. Scott, it seems, is seized; but Mr. Harrison has hopes of getting the vessel and cargo again, under some little disadvantages. Captain Conway says there is a great many troops in Martinico; the Epigales and tenders are watching every Island: he fell in with one, but gave her the slip in the night.

I am, gentlemen, with the greatest respect, your most obedient servant,

JENIFER & HOOE.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.