her; and we beg to know from you whether it is your in­tention that we shall proceed to finish and complete her for the service of the Province, or whether you would desist from prosecuting the matter any further. We judge the purchase of the vessel and her outfit may amount to two thousand pounds; and we are of opinion she will be very useful in scouring the coast from the incursions of the ten­ders, as she will mount ten guns, and carry seventy to one hundred men. She is in such forwardness as to sail imme­diately on getting her men. One of the breastworks (which was mostly calculated to cover the ship) mounts six guns, and the other ten, and they were particularly requested to be done by Captain Nicholson. Our fort at Whetstone is ready to mount eight guns, and we shall use every exertion to expedite it.

We are, with due respect, gentlemen, your most obedient servants,

WILLIAM LUX, Deputy Chairman.
THOMAS HARRISON,
JOHN SMITH,
WILLIAM BUCHANAN,
JOHN BOYD,
JOHN MERRYMAN,JUN.,
JOHN STERETT.

To the Honourable Council of Safety of Maryland.

By the Committee of BALTIMORE County:

Mr. Hercules Courtney, as agent for Captain William Stone, has in his possession eleven cannon of the following sizes, according to the best information we can obtain, viz: Two of twelve pounds, six of nine pounds, and three of four pounds; all of which will be wanted for the defence of Baltimore Town, if they are found good. This Commit­tee directed carriages to be made to suit these guns, and on the late alarm removed and mounted them at Fell’s Point, where they now remain, ready to be proved by such person as the honourable Council of Safety may appoint.

WILLIAM LUX, Deputy Chairman.
JOHN SMITH,
JOHN BOYD,
JOHN MERRYMAN,JUN.,
JOHN MOALE,
WILLIAM BUCHANAN,
THOMAS HARRISON,.
JAMES CALHOUN.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

March 15, 1776.

BALTIMORE COMMITTEE TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Baltimore, March 16, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: As the powder and the lead belonging to the publick was placed in different stores, and on the late alarm the mode of delivering it out was very troublesome and uncertain, besides being liable to much waste, this Com­mittee thought it necessary to direct the whole to be re­moved into one house, for the greater ease of having a guard placed on it; and that it might be delivered properly, and an account kept regularly, they appointed Mr. Gerard Hopkins as a Commissary of Military Stores; and as such an officer must be appointed, we beg leave to solicit your confirmation of Mr. Hopkins, as he is capable and desirous to officiate. It became more necessary to make this ap­pointment at the time, as the powder from Philadelphia was coming in, and several other matters for the service of Militia wanting, the whole of which can be executed by him.

We are, gentlemen, your most humble servants,

WILLIAM LUX, Deputy Chairman.
WILLIAM BUCHANAN,
JOHN BOYD,
JOHN SMITH,
THOMAS HARRISON,
JOHN MERRYMAN,JUN.,
JOHN STERETT.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO THE BRIGADIERS-GENERAL, SEVERALLY.

SIR: As our thanks are due to yourself and those gene­rous men who, with alacrity and ardour, stepped forth on the late alarm, to the assistance and protection of their neighbours and fellow-citizens, we request you will accept of them, and present them likewise to those Battalions and Companies, of your District, that appeared on that occasion.

We are, &c.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO CAPTAIN CAMPBELL.

Philadelphia, March 16, 1776.

SIR: It having been represented to Congress that Mrs. Campbell has arrived in this city, and so much indisposed as not to be able to pursue her design of visiting you at Reading, and being desirous of seeing you, I am directed by the Congress to inform you that you have their permission to repair to this city, and remain with Mrs. Campbell during the continuance of her illness, and until she is able to at­tend you on a journey to Reading.

I am, sir, yours, &c.

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO READING (PENNSYLVANIA) COMMITTEE.

Philadelphia, March 16, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I take the freedom to enclose a letter for Captain John Nelson, of the company of Riflemen, who was to call on you for seven hundred dollars, transmitted you some time ago. If he has not yet reached you, I beg you to keep the enclosed, and deliver it to him on his arrival with you. But if he has passed you, I am earnestly to desire you to take a fresh express, and send the letter with all ex­pedition, that it may reach him as early as possible, it being of consequence.

I am, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Honourable Committee of Inspection of Reading, Pennsylvania.

P. S. The express I send to you is bound to Carlisle.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO CAPTAIN NELSON;

Philadelphia, March 16, 1776.

SIR:Upon receipt of this, you are immediately to repair, with the company of Riflemen under your command, with all possible expedition to New-York, and put yourself under the orders of the officer commanding the Continental forces in that department.

By order of Congress:

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Captain John Nelon, of a Rifle Company, at Reading, or on his march.

MATTHEW TILGHMAN TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Philadelphia, March 16, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I enclose you a resolution of Congress,* which I am directed to forward to you, and, as I recollect, was ordered not to be made publick.

I am, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

MATTHEW TILGHMAN.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

*IN CONGRESS, March 14, 1776: Resolved, That it be recommended to the several Assemblies, Conventions, and Committees or Councils of Safety, of the United Colonies, immediately to cause all persons to be disarmed, within their respective Colonies, who are notoriously disaffect­ed to the cause of America, or who have not associated, and shall refuse to associate, to defend by arms these United Colonies against the hostile attempts of the British Fleets and Armies; and to apply the Arms taken from such persons, in each respective Colony, in the first place to the arming the Continental Troops raised in said Colony; in the next, to the arming such Troops as are raised by the Colony for its own defence; and the residue to be applied to the arming the Associators. That the Arms, when taken, be appraised by indifferent persons; and such as are applied to the arming the Continental Troops be paid for by the Con­gress, and the residue by the respective Assemblies, Conventions, or Councils, or Committees of Safety.