property; but the whole put together would scarce make three rounds apiece for the companies. To what lengths they may go, if not supplied, we cannot say; but fear when they find that, upon repeated applications, they are not supplied with the means of defence, they may de spond, and tamely submit to such ravages as these barbarians may think proper to commit. From the late conduct of the men of our County, we have not the least doubt of their spirit and firmness, and are fully satisfied they will make a bold and resolute stand in defence of the liberties of their country, if properly furnished with arms and am munition.

We are daily in expectation of another visit from the enemy, and have therefore thought it our indispensable duty to lay the weak and defenceless state of our County be fore you; not doubting but that, on your being thus truly informed of our situation, you will immediately order us such a supply of arms and ammunition as may be necessary for the defence of the County; as without it, we shall be under the dreadful necessity of submitting to such depredations as our enemies may think proper to commit.

It is currently reported and believed here, that the arms and ammunition for this Province are arrived at Philadelphia; and if this report is true, and we cannot, in our distressed situation, be more expeditiously supplied, we would undertake, by your directions, to send a wagon or two to Philadelphia for arms and ammunition, if you think proper to give an order for the delivery of them to us.

Captain Woolford has now upwards of eighty men of his company inlisted. They are a daily expense to the Province, and, in their present situation, of no real service, there being but one man of the whole that has a gun.

We beg leave to report to you, that Mr. Thomas Ennalls, nominated as the Supervisor of our Saltpetre Works, has refused to act. We have advertised for another, and as soon as the vacancy is filled, shall inform you.

We are, gentlemen, with regard and esteem, your obedient humble servants.

Signed by order of the Committee of Observation:

JAMES MURRAY.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

P. S. We have given Captain Woolford an order on Captain Robinson for the Province arms, which he received from the Committee of Observation of Kent County; and we hope soon to be able to completely arm his and the other Independent Companies stationed on your Shore.

Upon the late alarm, some powder was given into the hands of the Militia on this side the bay; and we fear it will be difficult to collect the greatest part of it again, and that too much of what remains with the people will be lost to the publick. We recommend it to you, therefore, to de liver to the Captains on the water side as much as you may conceive will be sufficient, (taking their receipts,) with orders not to distribute it among their respective companies until there is a real necessity; and to keep the residue in some convenient part of your County, where, upon any emergency, the other companies may be readily sup plied.

JONATHAN BEALL TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Prince George’s County, March 15, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Permit me to trouble you with these lines, on the arrival of gunpowder in Potomack, for the publick use, and to inform you of the great desire and expectation of the people that a part of it will be allotted to the use of this County, (particularly the Potomack part of it,) where the people much wish to be provided, as well as may be, from the apprehension of an armed force soon proceeding up the river to Alexandria, which, you know, lies about opposite to the centre of this County, on the Potomack side. We have five companies on this river in the Piscataway District, and four or five in that of Bladensburgh.

The wisdom of the Council of Safety will direct the quantity, and how to be ordered in the disposition; but I will take leave to submit, whether it may not be thought best to have it lodged under the direction of the Committee of Observation at Bladensburgh and Piscataway, presuming it will not be thought proper to deliver it into the hands of the people, for obvious reasons. I think there are some of the Captains on whose undoubted care dependance might be had; but I fear there are some others whose prudence on such occasions may be doubtful. This causes me to think of its being under the direction of the Committee of Observation in each neighbourhood where it is lodged, as the most proper method.

The people had begun to be somewhat dispirited, on account of want of arms and ammunition, especially the latter. There is an obvious change since the arrival of this powder, (the article most wanted,) from the expectation of their being furnished therewith. This being done, I make no doubt the inhabitants in these parts will prove as spirited as in any part of the Province.

They are on a sudden more active in getting their fire-arms in order, on this prospect of getting powder. We are busy casting bullets and buckshot, of which I believe we can make out fifteen or sixteen hundred pounds. We are also tolerably well off for gun-flints, the Committee having, last summer, purchased all the lead and flints they could lay their hands on. I am in hopes we can manage to have better than half of our people provided with fire-locks; but several of them can only be used for want of better. I wish we could be happy enough to be better furnished; but we must do the best we can. I know the gentlemen of the Council of Safety, and with a real pleasure can say I have a confidence in them, and that they will do the best in this, as well as every other part of their duty. I freely express these sentiments to the people. Your candour will not think there is any flattery in this declaration-there is really none. But I think it not at all improper to express myself freely, and shall do so more from your last letter. The information you there mention to have received from this County, I think must have a very slight foundation. Should the Council think it convenient to allot a pound of powder per man for the numbers in the several Potomack Companies, I believe it would have a great and good effect on the spirits of the people. As the companies on the Patuxent lie less exposed, there may not be thought so great an allowance necessary as on Potomack, where we must expect any attack on these parts most likely to be.

I would wish to be understood as to my sentiments of the powder being lodged under the direction of the Committees of Piscataway and Bladensburgh, not to mean jointly; but that a part be lodged with each place, under the direction of those of the Committee of Observation in each neigh bourhood, that no obstruction to the use, when required, may take place. But after taking the freedom to trouble you with so much, I submit the whole to the determination of the Council.

Please offer my best compliments to the worthy members of your able Council, and be assured (to you and them) I am, with real esteem, dear sir, your obedient humble servant,

JONATHAN BEALL.

I hope to hear of your recovery from your late lameness. Several gentlemen, deserving attention in this County, have asked my mentioning them to the Council, as desirous of acting as officers in any other regular force that may be raised in this Province, either Continental or Provincial. The names follow, viz:

Luke Marbury, John Addison, Hezekiah Wheeler, Thomas Dent, John Beanes, William Duvall, Walter Cox, John Burgess. The three first are Captains in the Militia, and hope to have not a town commission. As above, &c.

M. GIST TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Baltimore, March 15, 1776.

Gentlemen: Having sundry accounts open against me for iron pots, ammunition-chests, making hunting-shirts, repairing houses for barracks, guard-house, &c, &c, the amount of which I cannot as yet ascertain, I have to request your order on the Treasurer for one hundred and fifty pounds, to discharge the above bills, which shall be accounted for by, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

M. GIST.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

N. B. The bearer, Lieutenant Winder, waits upon you for the order

M. G.

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