or five men. The seventh company is now on the march. They are here, and will proceed to day. The eighth company, with two officers and about fifty men, are marched, and two more officers are now recruiting. I have heard they have got their men, but not yet mustered. Captain Osgood’s company is here, but not full. There are about sixty mustered, which he will march with. We are not able to complete them with arms, but could purchase them if we had money; and this is the only party I ever had to march without arms and money; and I have never received any money, only a little hard at Exeter for our use at Canada; but shall march with the greatest cheerfulness, and do the best in my power for the good of the service, as I am certain the cause we are upon is right and just, though we may suffer for want of proper supplies.

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

TIMOTHY BEDEL.

To Meshech Weare, Esq.

Colony of NEW-HAMPSHIRE.—By the Council and Assembly.

A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas the Congress of the Colony have, agreeable to a recommendation from the honourable Continental Congress, resolved on, and formed themselves upon a plan of Government by a Council and House of Representatives; which plan has been published and dispersed through the Colony, and is to be in force during the present dispute with Great Britain, unless otherwise advised by the Continental Congress; conformable to which said plan of Government, the Council and Assembly have chosen and appointed the proper officers for the administration of justice, in the several Counties, who are to be sworn to the faithful discharge of their several trusts: it is therefore expected, that no person, or persons, claim, or exercise any civil authority, but such as are, or may be appointed as aforesaid, on the penalty of being deemed inimical to their country.

Provided, nevertheless, and this Proclamation is intended not to interfere with the power of the necessary Committees of Inspection, or Safety, chosen in the several towns through the Colony, by virtue, and in consequence of any recommendation or resolves of the Continental Congress; whereof all persons concerned are to take due notice, and govern themselves accordingly.

And at the same time it is earnestly recommended, that in this distressing day of publick calamity, when our enemies are watching all opportunities to ensnare and divide us, every one would strive to prevent, and, if possible, to quell all appearances of party spirit; to cultivate and promote peace, union, and good order; and by all means in their power, to discourage profaneness, immorality, and injustice.

By order of the Council and Assembly, at Exeter, the 19th day of March, Anno Domini 1776.

M. WEARE, President of the Council.

E. THOMPSON, Secretary.

GOD save the People.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO QUEEN ANNE’S COUNTY COMMITTEE.

GENTLEMEN: The enclosed is an order on the Treasurer of the Eastern-Shore for the sum of fifty-two pounds two pence, for expenses incurred (as appears by your account transmitted us) in equipping Captain James Kent’s Minute-men for their expedition to Accomack and Northampton Counties, in Virginia; and as the several articles furnished now belong to the Province, we desire you will receive them into your possession upon the return of the company, and take proper care of them. We are sorry it is not in our power to compensate Mr. James Brown, who, at the request of Captain Kent, attended his company in the capacities of Physician and Surgeon. However, we assure you we will represent the matter to the next Convention, and do not doubt they will take it into consideration, and as the measure was expedient, make an adequate satisfaction for his trouble and services.

We are, &c.

To the Committee of Observation for Queen Anne’s County.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO HUGH YOUNG.

SIR: We should have answered your letter of the 11th instant, by Mr. Smyth, before now, but the variety of business before the Council has prevented us. We would have you send out the Nancy, Captain Wise, immediately, under the orders heretofore given, and finish loading the Schooner Ninety-Two, as speedily as possible, and send the Captain to us for his sailing orders.

We are, &c.

To Mr. Hugh Young.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO WILLIAM ENNALLS.

SIR: Your favour of the 16th instant, relative to the payment of paper money for the specie you had collected, in pursuance of our order, to Messrs. Ennalls, Murray, and Steele, was delivered us by Captain Woolford. The Council has some time past given general orders to the Treasurers of the Western and Eastern-Shores to pay out of the Treasury bills of credit for any sums that should be delivered them in gold or silver; you will therefore apply to the Treasurer of the Eastern-Shore for payment of paper money for what specie you may deliver him.

We are, &c.

To Mr. William Ennalls, Dorchester County.

ALEXANDER SOMERVILLE TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Calvert County, March 20, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: In obedience of the appointment from your honourable Board, (as a collector of hard cash,) have collected about two hundred pounds, which is now in my possession, and only wait for a safe opportunity to convey it to you. I have given this day an order on the Treasurer of the Western-Shore to pay Colonel Fitzhugh twenty-four pounds fourteen shillings and two pence, currency, for the gold and silver I had of him. If you point out the way of conveyance, it will be strictly attended to by, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

ALEXANDER SOMERVILLE.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

P. S. If the paper currency is not soon;sent, I shall be obliged to return the hard money.

A. S.

MARYLAND DELEGATES TO COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Philadelphia, March 20, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: On the arrival of Captain Tibbet we engaged a boat, on board of which shipped the powder and arms, together with one ton of powder advanced by Congress, and eighteen hundred and seventy-five pounds returned by Congress for. the quantity borrowed by Colonel Harrison. This boat went to Christiana Bridge, from whence the powder was sent to Baltimore in wagons. Of this transaction we advised you by the return of the express that brought the intelligence of the Otter and her tender’s arrival in the Patapsco. The quantity of powder which was private property in Tibbet, was very small; part of it was owned by a gentleman in Accomack County, in Virginia; the residue (about six or eight quarter-casks) Mr. Bowley informs us is the property of a gentleman in Baltimore, to whom it was sent. Powder is an article that cannot be purchased in this city. Mr. Johnson had a sum of money lodged in his hands by Colonel Hollingsworth, of Cecil County, to purchase a small quantity of powder for that County, the money being raised by subscription for that purpose: this he could not accomplish, and, at the pressing instance of that County, we procured from Congress five barrels, which is sent down. The demand from the eastward being very great, and our magazine almost empty, prevents our making any further application.

We are, with great respect, gentlemen, your humble servants,

R. ALEXANDER, for self and Colleagues.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.