we presume, proceeded up Patapsco to take or destroy our Ship Defence, and a large ship loaded with wheat and flour, by permission of the Congress. Whether the Ship Defence, with a battery hastily thrown up, will be sufficient to defeat this hostile attempt, we cannot say; but we are confident if a landing is attempted, either at Baltimore Town, or this place, that the enemy will be defeated.

We are, &c.

To the Committee of Safety of Virginia.

P. S. Nine o’clock, P. M. We have this moment received certain intelligence that the man-of-war is the Otter Sloop, with two tenders, one of six carriage-guns, and the other with swivels only; that they have taken the ship loaded with wheat and flour, which unluckily happened to be aground at the mouth of Patapsco; and that they are proceeding up the river to take or destroy the Ship Defence. Fresh provisions also, we believe is their object.

We are, &c.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO CHARLES CARROLL, ESQUIRE.

SIR: We enclose you an order for Captain Stricker’s Company to march down to Baltimore Town, instead of coming to Annapolis, if you think it necessary. When the man-of-war leaves Baltimore Town, and comes down this way, you will be pleased to order them to Annapolis. Nothing new has happened since writing you last night. Stricker has already been ordered here; your express may be directed to meet him.

We are, &c.

To Charles Carroll, Esquire.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO CAPTAIN GEORGE STRICKER.

SIR: If you should receive instructions, either from Charles Carroll, Esq., or the Committee of Observation of Baltimore County, to march to Baltimore Town, you are, with the utmost expedition, to proceed to that place, we having empowered them to order you there, if they should think it necessary. As soon as the ship-of-war sails from thence, you are to proceed immediately to Annapolis. Such baggage as may be necessary for you at Baltimore Town, you will carry with you; but the residue, with the spare arms, you will order to proceed directly here, under a guard.

We are, &c.

To Captain George Stricker.

THOMAS JOHNSON, JUN., TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Philadelphia, March 9, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Captain Tibbett has this moment arrived. The vessel he went out in is sold, and he is in an armed vessel. He has only about two thousand pounds of powder, about six tons of lead, duck, osnaburghs, &c. The vessel is on her way to the city. We shall send forward the effects, as well as the powder borrowed from our Province by Virginia, which is ordered, out of a very scanty stock, to be returned.

I am, gentlemen, very respectfully, your most obedient servent,

THOMAS JOHNSON, JUN.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

MARYLAND DELEGATES TO COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Philadelphia, Saturday Evening, March 9, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Immediately on receipt of a letter from Mr. Purviance, by express, advising us of a man-of-war being in your bay, we applied to Congress for one ton of powder, which was readily granted. The Delegates of Virginia had sent off one ton in a wagon. This without solicitation they offered us, and we accepted, and have sent their order to the wagoner to proceed to Baltimore. We had an order for one thousand eight hundred and seventy-five pounds, due Maryland from Congress, and this day Captain Tibbett arrived from Statia with about one ton of powder for our Province. We have despatched the powder to Christiana-Bridge, as wagons are not to be had here, and have wrote to different gentlemen at the bridge and head of Elk, to assist in forwarding the powder to Baltimore Town.

We are, gentlemen, your very affectionate friends and servants,

THOMAS JOHNSON,
R. ALEXANDER.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

Philadelphia, March 9, 1776.

It is the opinion of many people among us, that the Congress should not declare the Colonies independent of Great Britain, without a previous recess to consult their constituents about that important question. But the complicated and increasing business of the Congress will not admit of such a recess. Would it not be proper, therefore, for their constituents to declare their sentiments upon that head as soon as possible? This may be done by the various Com­mittees and Conventions on the Continent. Their votes or resolves should determine the question in the Congress. It was in this manner the Continent first declared their deter­mination to resist by force the power of the British Par­liament. The first Congress was nothing but the echo of Committees and Conventions. In the present important question concerning independence, the Congress should, as in the former case, only echo back the sentiments of the people. This can only be done through the medium of Committees and Conventions. The sooner, therefore, they are convened for that purpose, the better.

A LOVER OF ORDER.

SAMUEL TUCKER TO LORD STIRLING.

Trenton, March 9, 1776.

MY LORD: Since writing the enclosed, I received your favour of the 5th current. I have also received a letter from our Delegates, returning your letters of the 1st and 3d current, requesting me to lay them before the Committee of Safety, notwithstanding they must know that our Provincial Congress sent a letter by one of their Members to the Continental Congress, offering to raise two battalions more, or one, if they thought it most proper. Their answer was the following resolve, which I copied in my memorandums:

“March 1.—Application being made by the Convention of New-Jersey for two more battalions and two companies of Artillery, to be raised in that Colony, and the same being referred to a Committee, on the reports of the said Committee, the Congress did not agree to the raising any more battalions in that Colony.

“CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary .”

The above resolve was received and read in our Con­vention the 2d instant, and two companies of Artillerymen only ordered to be raised at the expense of this Colony. What Mr. Livingston and our other Delegates can expect by referring your requisition back, I cannot say. Neither can I with any propriety convene the Committee, (who have already advised the sending your letters to the Continental Congress, of which I advised them,) as the members live seventy miles apart. I should be happy to be serviceable to the publick in general, or your Lordship in particular.

The Congress passed a law to regulate the conduct of all persons that may be suspected; to be carried into effect by the several Committees.

I have the honour to be, with due respect, your assured friend and humble servant,

SAMUEL TUCKER.

P. S. If any employment should offer for Major Phillips, he will be useful to you. The enclosed is his writing.

S. T.

JOHN HATHORN TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Goshen Precinct, Orange County, March 9, 1776.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOUR: Whereas, some vacan­cies subsist in several companies of the Militia in the regi­ments of Goshen, Florida, and Warwick, whereof returns have been made to me by the members of the Committee who were appointed to preside at the election of persons to supply those vacancies in the respective companies; of which are the following: