to hear every moment is landed at Cape-Fear, with the troops under his command. As soon as we learned he had sailed from Virginia, sent off an express instantly to our commanding officer there, to be ready for him. The Governour of South-Carolina is at Cape-Fear. Clinton, Martin, and Lord William Campbell, are to settle the plan of operations as to the subjugating this Province, South-Carolina, and Georgia. To-morrow, we send off two gentlemen to South-Carolina. I do expect, the moment Clinton lands, this Province, Virginia, and South-Carolina, will march an army of twenty thousand men against him. You never knew the like in your life as to true patriotism. Not a man of any influence is left in the back country, nor on Cape-Fear. All, to a man, turned out upon the first alarm, in defence of their country.

JOHN HARRISON, JUN., TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OP SAFETY.

Fredericktown, March 10, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Agreeable to your order, we have sent by the bearer, Lawrence Brengle, all the muskets we have that is in order, being eighty-four; and also fifteen hundred gun-flints. Mr. Brengle will lay before you an account for wagonage; what we have will be paid.

I am, gentlemen, in behalf of the Committee, your most humble servant,

JOHN HARRISON, JUN., Chairman.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

CHARLES CARROLL TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Baltimore Town, March 10, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Yours of last night gave me no small satisfaction; but we have, since receiving it, heard that a large ship and some small vessels are discovered from North-Point working up the bay. Whatever they may turn out to be, we shall here propose to receive them, as there are a great number of men in town. Colonel Dorsey has been directed to march back his battalion to Elk-River, but will keep them together at Elk-Ridge Landing till he hears from you by express whether they are wanted at Annapolis. Pray despatch your orders to him directly. I understand from you that you are at Annapolis sufficiently prepared to oppose the landing of any men from the Otter, or her tenders.

The Committee of Baltimore County had likewise, before receiving your letter, directed their Light-Infantry Company to march to your assistance. It is now countermanded; but they will most readily send you, on notice, any assistance in their power. As no orders have been sent to Captain Stricker to come to this town, I suppose he will continue his march to Annapolis. I am sorry to acquaint you that there is some probability that the powder and arms we expected from Philadelphia are seized by one of the tenders. In the great hurry and confusion, in order to furnish some of the Militia, many of the cartridge-boxes were delivered out to them, which perhaps may not be got again. We must not mind these small losses. It is the general sentiment of the people here that Captain Squire should not be supplied with provisions; and I hope he will not be permitted to seize the New-England sloop.

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

CHARLES CARROLL.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety.

JOSEPH BEALL TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Bladensburgh, March 10, 1776.

GENTLEMAN: On the receipt of your letter of the 8th instant, I had ordered my battalion to rendezvous about half-way between this and Queen-Anne. But as we yesterday evening and this morning received at this place fifty-one whole and one broken barrel and twenty kegs of gunpowder, and twelve muskets, I have altered the place of rendezvous to this town. As, by your orders, I am to hold myself in readiness to march at a moment’s warning, I shall keep them, or such parts of them as can be tolerably armed, on duty till I receive your further orders thereon. I hope, by the return of this messenger, I shall receive your orders, as well with respect to my conduct in keeping the whole or a part of the battalion on duty, as likewise with respect to the disposition of the powder, as it may not be altogether safe to keep the powder near the navigable waters. If there should not be an immediate call for it, I think Snow-den’s Iron-Works would be a proper place to lodge it, as it will be nearly convenient to Annapolis, Baltimore, and this place.

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

JOSEPH BEALL.

To the Council of Safety.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO CAPTAIN JAMES HINDMAN.

SIR: Your request, with regard to Mr. Frazer, hath been complied with; he has got his commission made out. We have some linen and cloth, but, we doubt, not enough for the battalion and Independent companies; therefore get for yourself, if you can; if not, we will endeavour to supply you. Hats we will procure at Baltimore Town; blankets and guns you may get for yourself at reasonable prices. Our arms are very slow in coming from the northward, and few have been made. The man-of-war and her tenders are gone past this town towards Baltimore. You must be on your guard, and spirit up your company to attend their motions, in case they should attempt landing. We think you ought not to go to Philadelphia until this alarm is over.

We are, &c.

To Captain James Hindman.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO COLONEL JOSHUA BEALL.

SIR: A man-of-war and two tenders passed this harbour yesterday afternoon, and we imagine are destined to Baltimore. But as it is altogether uncertain what their designs are, and as we wish to put the Province in the best state of defence our circumstances will admit of, we request you will immediately meet your battalion, and hold them in readiness to march at a moment’s warning, upon the further orders of the Council.

We are, &c.

To Colonel Joshua Beall.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO DORCHESTER COUNTY COMMITTEE.

GENTLEMEN: We have received your letter, recommending the Town of Cambridge as the most convenient and proper place for the Independent Company of your County to be stationed at; and as we approve of that place, we have ordered Captain Woolford to station his company there.

We are, &c.

To the Committee of Observation for Dorchester County.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO CAPTAIN JOHN GUNBY.

SIR: We approve of your conduct in providing houses, bedding, fuel, and utensils for your company, and enclose an order on the Treasurer of the Eastern Shore, in your favour, for one hundred and fifty pounds, to disburse the expenses you have incurred in these matters, and subsisting your recruits. If that is not sufficient, you shall be provided with a further sum.

We are not yet supplied with arms, and therefore cannot now furnish you; but will as soon as we are able. By the enclosed you will observe your company is to be stationed at Princess Anne, agreeable to the recommendation of the Committee of Observation of your County, for which we thank them.

We are, &c.

To Captain John Gunby.