of America delayed and frustrated. When, therefore, they offer to treat with Assemblies separately, refer them to the General Congress; and, in the mean time, press the war with manly vigour and perseverance so long as hostile armies remain in your country; and hostile they must be if they remain at all. Common sense, common safety, honour, and the interest of the present and future generations, all loudly call on you thus to act; for if the Ministry are in earnest for restoring peace and doing justice, the united voice of America, in Congress, will most certainly and cordially embrace the offer.

SOMERS.

ALEXANDER WICKHAM TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Annapolis Guard-House, March 8, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I am confined (as I understand) by your order. Should be glad to know what charge against me, as I am ready to answer. I have business of some consequence to do at Marlborough; therefore, if convenient to you, would take my trial this afternoon. I apprehend that in all criminal cases the culprit is so far indulged as to have a copy of the charge against him, and his accusers face to face.

I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your very humble servant,

ALEXANDER WICKHAM.

To the Honourable Members of the Council of Safety of Maryland.

JOHN A. THOMAS TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Leonardtown, March 8, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: On Tuesday last, in the afternoon, I received advice that three armed vessels were in, and near, the Patuxent; that one of them had taken a vessel laden with flour, bound to Casco-Bay. On the above notice (as soon as it was possible) we marched down to the mouth of the Patuxent; but before we could do anything we were obliged to borrow all the arms from one company of the Militia, and those but very indifferent-indeed, so bad that it would be cruel to set men to work with them. The company from whom I borrowed the arms are at this moment in the greatest want of them, as we have certain intelligence of a man-of-war (a large armed sloop) being at this time riding in Potomack. The Militia are, through this County, in a most defenceless state; and my company, if possible, in a much worse one. I have therefore sent Mr. Steward up to you requesting to have the arms allotted for us. If you have them not, Mr. Steward says he can purchase them. Besides the arms, we want more ammunition; and it is impossible to do anything without them, This County being so particularly circumstanced, I entreat you to allow Mr. Steward to look out for arms for us. Under the exigency of affairs I submit it, whether it would not be better to form my company into two, and make them sixty-eight non-commissioned officers and privates, with the proper commissioned officers. If you should approve of this arrangement, I would take the liberty to recommend to your notice two young gentlemen who have entered cadets into my company, and who will fill (in my opinion) very well the stations of Third Lieutenants. I have stationed half my company at the mouth of Patuxent, and half (as soon as quarters can be got) will be stationed at the mouth of Potomack; this will put it out of the power of Mr. Ford to provide for them. I have therefore contracted for a considerable quantity of pork and bread, which will serve the men on Patuxent a month or more; and Mr. Neal goes off directly to the mouth of Potomack to get provisions and quarters for the troops therel As the exigency of affairs would not permit me to consult you, I have, in every step that I have yet taken, consulted the principal gentlemen of the place, who have unanimously agreed to the steps that I have taken; but if they are judged by you to be improper, I beg to be immediately advised, and you may rely that every order from you shall be strictly complied with. I mentioned in my last the necessity of having a horse for expresses and any other uses; I now see the necessity more than ever. The hiring of horses is attended with great delay, and frequently not to be got; I therefore request that you will let me purchase one. I know the publick will be advantaged by it. I also mentioned to you the necessity of having two drummers and fifers. Indeed, little can be done without them. I beg you will allow Mr. Steward to get them at any rate. If purchased, they are the servants of the publick, and their wages (if they live) will soon pay for them, though times are such that I hope you will not stand for trifles. Cartridge paper is indispensably necessary: I beg we may have some. Permit me to press you to consider the naked situation of the County, and to request that Mr. Steward may be allowed to look out for arms, &c. The money you ordered me is all expended, and the people not yet supplied, or near it, with clothes and blankets. I beg you will send me a sum of money immediately: the purchase of provisions, clothes, &cc, exclusive of the money already received, will take at least between two and three hundred pounds. I hope I may not be stinted, for I have but little cash of my own; indeed, what I had has been expended in the service, and the publick is now considerably in my debt. The men are allowed rum and molasses, neither of which articles can be got here. I wish some method could be fallen upon to get us some. If you think proper to form two companies, I hope the gentlemen now in my company will not be overlooked; they well deserve your notice, and the two young gentlemen cadets; their names are Robert Chesley and Henry Carbery. For any particulars, Mr. Steward will wait on you, to give you any necessary information.

I am, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

JOHN A. THOMAS.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

CHARLES CARROLL TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Baltimore Town, March 8, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: On talking with the gentlemen of the Committee of Observation for this town, I find they will be much in want of provisions for the men now here, as the Commissary is not to be found. They have, I think, made a reasonable agreement to have the men supplied with victuals, ready dressed, at one shilling per head. At their desire I sent the enclosed letter to Colonel Thomas Dorsey. My reason for sending it to him was his having had orders to hold his men in readiness from the Council; I supposed, therefore, they would be prepared to march. They have here about three thousand pounds of powder; if more should be wanting I shall give them an order for some on Captain Gaither, as I recollect he has the keeping of some belonging to the Province. There was an immediate want of a Surgeon for the ship Defence; neither the Surgeon we had thought of or his mate being here, I therefore directed Dr. Wiesenthall to appoint Mr. Coulter, or some other, and to get all the lint, bandage, &c., he could, for the payment of which he should have an order.

Brigadier Buchanan finds himself much distressed for want of Field-Officers. As there is an immediate necessity for them, he would be glad if blank commissions, ready signed, could be sent up for one battalion. Think of it, and if it can be done, we will pitch on proper persons here. They are in want of lead-about fifteen hundred pounds will do. They will be glad if you will despatch a cart with it to Hammond’s Ferry. They would be glad you could spare the large rifles.

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

CHARLES CARROLL.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

CHARLES CARROLL TO COLONEL THOMAS DORSEY.

Baltimore Town, March 8, 1776.

SIR: I left the Council of Safety yesterday in the afternoon, after the man-of-war and her tenders had passed the mouth of our river. If any place is in danger of an immediate attack, I think it will be the town of Waltimore; and, on talking with their Committee of Observation, I find they have men enough, but they are very badly armed; I think, therefore, it will be proper that you march your battalion, or all the companies of men in it that have serviceable arms, with all expedition to this town, unless you have express directions from the Council of Safety to go with your battalion to some other place. They will confirm this order of mine. I am, &c.

CHARLES CARROLL.

To Colonel Thomas Dorsey