WILLIAM LUX TO DANIEL OF ST. THOMAS JENIFER.

Baltimore, March 15, 1776.

DEAR SIR: Captain Nicholson is very desirous of having twenty Riflemen among his Marines, and has sent to Frederick, where he is likely to succeed. Of course he will want the rifles. They will cost six pounds apiece. Please to consult your Council, and let me know immediately, as Captain Brown has an offer of ten very fine ones, and the others can be got at Frederick.

I congratulate you on the arrival of the brig Wild Duck. I suppose you will want our part of the cargo. Mr. Bowley is gone to Philadelphia. As soon as I hear from him, I will wait on you, unless you come to Baltimore, which I believe is safest.

I am, honourable sir, your obedient and faithful servant,

WILLIAM LUX.

To the Honourable Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Esq.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO CAPTAIN NICHOLSON.

SIR: The spirited and prudent conduct which you manifested in repelling the late hostile attack on the persons and properties of your fellow-citizens, and defeating the designs and attempts of our invaders, give us real satisfaction, and entitle you to our thanks. We, therefore, with pleasure return them to you, and desire you will also communicate them to the volunteers that accompanied you, and the officers and men under your command, as our acknowledgments are likewise due to their gallantry.

We are, &c.

To Captain James Nicholson, Commander of the Ship Defence.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO DELEGATES IN CONGRESS.

GENTLEMEN: We have requested Mr. Bowley to purchase, on account of this Province, the private adventures of powder imported in the Wild Duck, Captain Tibbett, lately arrived in Delaware, at such price as you may advise. We therefore desire your assistance in that matter; and are, gentlemen,

Yours, &c.

To the Deputies of Maryland in Congress.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO NEW-JERSEY COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Philadelphia, March 15, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: From the intelligence lately received both from Boston and England, there is but too much reason to believe our implacable enemies are determined to bend their force against New-York, and endeavour to possess themselves of that important post.

The Congress have therefore thought proper to order Colonel Dayton’s Battalion thither, and rely that you will exert your most strenuous endeavours in arming and forwarding them. But lest the enemy should come before our troops are prepared to receive them, or in case they should come with a superior force, the Congress have empowered the Continental commander to call in the aid of the Militia of that and the neighbouring Colonies, agreeable to the enclosed resolve; and I am directed to request you to hold your Militia in readiness to march in such numbers, and at such times, as he may desire.

The alertness and zeal you have hitherto shown, render it unnecessary to use any arguments to enforce this request. I trust, by the blessing of God, our united and spirited exertions will baffle the designs of our enemies, and, notwithstanding all their attempts, secure and preserve the liberties of our country.

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

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Honourable the Convention or Committee of Safety of New-Jersey.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO NEW-YORK COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Philadelphia, March 15, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: As it is now apparent that our enemies mean to prosecute this cruel and unjust war with unrelenting fury, and as every intelligence assures us that they mean to bend their force against your Colony, I would not do you the injustice to suppose there will be any occasion to use arguments to stimulate you to exert your most strenuous endeavours to expedite the raising and arming the battalions ordered to be raised in your Colony for its defence.

Enclosed I send you the commissions for the Field-Officers. If any of them are provided for in Canada, they are to continue there, and others will be elected in their room. Such of them as are in Canada, and unprovided for, have orders immediately to repair to their respective regiments. Lest our enemies should come upon you before the Continental Troops can be in readiness to receive them, or in case they should come with superior force, the Congress have thought proper to empower the Continental commander at New-York to call to his assistance the Militia of your Colony, and that of Connecticut and New-Jersey, agreeable to the enclosed resolve. And I have it in command to request you to hold your Militia in readiness to march in such numbers, and at such time, as he may desire.

The Congress have ordered five tons of powder for the use of the troops employed in your defence, which will be forwarded with the utmost expedition.

The Colonel of the Third Battalion is not appointed, for reasons that will be mentioned by your Delegates, to whose letter I beg leave to refer you.

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

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Honourable the Convention of New-York.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO LORD STIRLING.

Philadelphia, March 15, 1776.

MY LORD: I had the honour of receiving your letters of the 12th and 13th, which were immediately laid before Congress.

Whatever may be the designs of General Howe, it appears, from all the intelligence received, more than probable that the Ministry will make an effort to gain possession of New-York. It is therefore the desire of Congress by all possible means to provide for the defence of that place. They have the satisfaction to find, by the report of a Committee appointed to confer with General Lee on that subject, that though the City of New-York cannot easily be made defensible against an attack by sea, yet it may be made an advantageous field of battle, and that, by works thrown up in proper places, the enemy may be prevented from gaining possession of it, and making it a place of arms. It Is therefore the desire of Congress that you would exert the utmost diligence in erecting the works and perfecting the defences agreeable to the plan he left you.

By the enclosed resolves, you will perceive the Congress have voted eight thousand men for the defence of the Colony of New-York. Three battalions and a company of Riflemen from Pennsylvania, and one battalion from New-Jersey, are ordered to join you with all expedition. Colonel Irvine’s Battalion and the Rifle Company are said to be completely armed. The rest are not so well provided as could be wished; but by the resolve for taking the arms out of the hands of the disaffected and non-Associators, it is hoped they may be soon supplied. As the tempest approaches, and threatens to burst upon them, I flatter myself the Convention of New-York will strain every nerve in speedily raising and arming the four battalions ordered to be raised there for the defence of their Colony.

Until these battalions can be got ready, the Congress approve your calling some Militia to your aid; and I am directed to request the Governour of Connecticut, and the Conventions of New-York and New-Jersey, to hold their Militia in readiness to march in such, numbers, and at such times, as may be desired by the commander of the forces at New-York. This large power, I have no doubt, will be exercised with the greatest discretion as the exigence of affairs may require. The Congress have a just sense of the importane