upon themselves by an unjustifiable resistance to the constitutional authority of this Kingdom; and I shall be ready and happy to alleviate those miseries, by acts of mercy and clemency, whenever that authority is established, and the now existing rebellion is at an end. To obtain these salutary purposes, I will invariably pursue the most proper and effectual means.

WILLIAM LUX TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Baltimore, March 22, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: The enclosed is a letter (from Mr. Massen-baugh) of thanks for your favours. The bearer, Mr. Robert Porteus, comes to solicit an appointment in his stead. He is a young man who has lived some time in this town with Captain Ewing, as a clerk, in which department he has behaved very well. I believe he does not possess any military knowledge; but if you think him worthy of the station, I dare say he will exert himself.

Mr. Hughes cast one eighteen-pounder on Monday, and it was bored. He expected to have four ready by last night; and begs to have some person sent up to prove them, that if any fault be found, he may remedy it before he proceeds too far. He thinks these will answer your expectation, and turn out exceeding fine; and he can have them down by Tuesday or Wednesday next. Pray order some person up to prove them directly.

Mr. Bowly is not yet returned. As soon as he does, you will be waited on by, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

WILLIAM LUX.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO CALVERT COUNTY COMMITTEE.

[No. 75.]

Annapolis, March 22, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: As it was thought by the last Convention that fifty regular troops would be sufficient to watch the movements of the ships-of-war and their tenders, on your coast, and to repel any sudden attack or invasion which might be attempted by small parties; and as we do not conceive your situation more dangerous now than it was then, so we cannot think ourselves at liberty to station an additional number of men in your County. We wish to prevent the Militia being harassed; and apprehend, when Captain Beall arrives at his station, which we imagine will be by the last of next week, there will not be any occasion for them to move, unless a more formidable force should come up the bay than has yet appeared, which we have no reason to expect for some time; under which circumstances, the number you speak of would not avail, and the Militia would be under a necessity of taking the field.

We have renewed our orders to the Committees of Observation for Charles County; and if they are not shortly complied with, will send you some powder from hence. As to furnishing you with arms, though it would afford us the highest satisfaction, yet from our inability we cannot experience the pleasure of gratifying you, not having a sufficiency for the regular forces.

We are, &c.

To the Committee of Observation for Calvert County.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY COMMITTEE.

GENTLEMEN: We have called James Morris before us; and not finding his affair in such a situation as that we can go into a plenary hearing, we have thought proper to oblige him to give security for his good behaviour, and also for his appearance before the Committee of Observation on the first Thursday in April next; against which time, if you think it necessary, you may order witnesses to attend to enforce his charge, and send him down to us again or not, as the facts may appear.

Stephen Gartrell hath been heard, and is ordered to make proper concessions at the head of the Elkridge Battalion, at their next meeting, and to pay one moiety of the expense

of bringing him down, guards, &c.; James Morris to pay the other moiety. We are, &c.

To the Committee of Observation for the Elkridge Department, in Anne Arundel County.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN TO C. W. F. DUMAS.

Philadelphia, March 22, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I wrote to you lately by Mr. Story, and since by another conveyance. This line will be delivered to you by Mr. Deane, who goes over on business of the Congress, and with whom you may freely converse on the affairs committed to you in behalf of that body. I recommend him warmly to your civilities. Messrs. Vaillant and Pochard continue close at their new business, and are already able to subsist by it. As they grow more expert, they will be able to take more money.

Mr. Deane will inform you of everything here; and I need not add more than that I am, with esteem and respect, &c.

B. FRANKLIN.

To C. W. F. Dumas, Utrecht.

To the Honourable the Committee of Safety for the Province of PENNSYLVANIA.

The Petition of OSWELL EVE, of FRANKFORD, in the Town-ship of OXFORD, and Province of PENNSYLVANIA, humbly showeth:

That your Petitioner some time ago, at great expense, erected a Powder-Mill in this Province, with a view of carrying on that useful manufactory; and spent much time in inventing machines and making experiments for bringing that branch of business to perfection, which he apprehends he had in a great measure accomplished, so as to establish the making of powder in this Province, which had not been carried on to any extent before.

That the present situation of America requiring a greater supply of that article, he was employed by the honourable Congress and the Committee of Safety, to work up part of the saltpetre imported by them and made here, which induced him to extend his works at a very great additional expense. That, by employing his whole time and study therein, he has invented and carried into execution works for graining powder, and for other parts of manufacturing the same, which are put in motion by water, (which is not done in any part of Europe,) and by which not only many hands may be saved in carrying on the same, but that it can be completed with much more expedition and safety than in any other mill.

Also, that he has, by different experiments, improved the refining of saltpetre and sulphur, and has brought the whole to perfection; and is now making upwards of twenty-two hundred weight of powder per week.

That he has at all times shown his works and many of his improvements to such gentlemen as came from different Colonies to view the same, which has contributed to promote the erecting a number of powder-mills; therefore, as the expense which he has been at will not, for a considerable time, be compensated by the profits of his mill; and as other manufactories, of less publick utility than this is at present, have met with publick encouragement, he humbly proposes to make known to the honourable Congress or Committee of Safety, or such persons as they shall appoint, his whole art of making powder, and different improvements in the mill, not doubting that they will grant him an adequate reward for having brought to perfection the said manufactory in the most safe and expeditious manner.

All which he submits to the consideration of your honourable Board, either to recommend his case to Congress, or to grant him such compensation as you may think proper.

OSWELL EVE.

Frankford, March 22, 1776.

JAMES YOUNG TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read March 23, 1776.]

Philadelphia, March 22, 1776.

SIR: Permit me to address you in this manner, as I would not presume to take up your time with a tedious relation