may be hurt himself, nor regards what mischief he brings on others.

This war has more evils in it than can possibly be foreseen. It admits of no comparison with other wars. It is rather like a family quarrel, where, every one flying to law, the whole estate becomes lost in the contest.

O Addressers! what infatuation has seized you? Is not peace better than war? Would it be any loss to you to have a general amnesty granted to the Americans ? Would ye be sufferers were you to behold them again as in the year 1763? Ye may live to curse the day when you set your hands to the fatal paper! Sooner should my right hand have perished than have been instrumental in bringing so great an evil on the land as the curse of war. The child unborn will rue the day.

CAPTAINS KENT AND HENRY TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Head-Quarters, Northampton, Virginia, March 23, 1776.

HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN: We embrace this opportunity by Captain Kell, who has been some weeks blocked up in this harbour by tenders. On Monday evening last a tender came into Chariton Creek, and carried out a sloop belonging to Isaac Vaughan, and got Captain Kell’s schooner under way, but luckily run aground. Our companies that are stationed at the Court-House got down a little after dark; and as there were a ship and five small craft in the offing, that we supposed to be the man-of-war and tenders that were up the bay with you, we planted sentinels along the bay shore, and went to heaving up an intrenchment opposite to Captain Kell’s schooner. We discovered nothing of the tender till the morning, when she weighed anchor, and came opposite to our little breastwork, and an engagement ensued, which lasted about an hour; when we obliged the tender to retreat, without carrying out the schooner.

We shall be exceedingly thankful for the Continental regulations relative to victualling and paying off troops. We were obliged to send Mr. Bruff to the Treasurer for the money to pay one month’s wages to our companies. We hope your Honours will make some provision for getting the companies home, as also for our Surgeons.

We are, very respectfully, gentlemen, your very humble servants,

JAMES KENT,
WILLIAM HENRY.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

P. S. As Captain Kell will return here again, he has promised to wait on you for any commands you may have to us.

Captain Thomas Kell, commander of the Schooner Dolphin, having put into Chariton Harbour, being chased by one of the tenders, who have made several attempts to take possession of her since; and the said Captain Kell having appeared before the Committee, and desired their opinion what part to act, and there appearing no probability of getting safe out, and thinking it would be attended with fatal consequences to suffer such a valuable cargo to fall into the hands of the enemy, recommended to the Captain to unload her without loss of time, and run her up the creek, and wait the further direction of the owners.

Extract from the Minutes:

DRURY STITH, Chairman of Committee.

THOMAS B. HANDS TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Chestertown, March 23, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Mr. Houston just now returned from Philadelphia, and delivered me the enclosed letter, which I should have sent unopened, but he told me he had directions from Mr. Alexander to deliver the letter to either Mr. Smyth or myself, if in this town, and to desire us to open it and see the contents, and carefully to transmit it to you. As it might be imprudent to intrust it to a casual conveyance, I have engaged a person to take the care of it to you, by way of Rock-Hall, with orders that, should he. be pursued in the bay, and be in danger of being taken, to sink the letter with weights. Mr. Houston brings no intelligence worth communicating.

I am, gentlemen, your humble servant,

THOMAS B. HANDS.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

JOHN STEWARD TO MARYLAND C0UNCIL OF SAFETY.

March 23, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: The late Convention were pleased to honour me with an appointment in the regular Independent service of this Province. I am well pleased with my present situation; but, from the consideration that I cannot attain so just a knowledge of military duty in it as in the Battalion or Artillery, I wish to exchange for the vacancy in Captain Fulford’s Company. If, gentlemen, you think I merit such favour, it shall be my constant study to qualify myself for the post.

I am, gentlemen, with the greatest respect, your obedient servant,

JOHN STEWARD.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO CAPTAIN JOHN ALLEN THOMAS.

SIR: We received a letter of the 15th instant, from Mr. Mackall, advising us that you thought a, Virginia Pilot-boat, which the Calvert County Guards had stopped some days past, would be very useful, as well for conveying the troops from one County to the other, as for taking any small tenders which might come into your river; and that the owner would sell her on reasonable terms; and requesting our opinion upon the expediency of purchasing and arming her for the use of the Province. We cannot conceive a pilot-boat properly calculated to transport troops across a narrow river, in which, upon an alarm given, unless the wind should suit, they cannot sail from one place to another with that expedition the service might require; and as to repelling any hostile attacks which may be made by tenders, we do not think that boat would be sufficient for the purpose, as nothing less than an eight or ten-gun vessel would offer to run up our rivers to commit depredations. These and other reasons will not justify our purchasing her for the services suggested.

We are, &c.

To Captain John Allenn Thomas.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO DELEGATES IN CONGRESS.

GENTLEMEN: Two tons of powder, or near that quantity, we believe, have been lately received at Baltimore Town from Philadelphia; one ton of which Mr. Alexander wrote us was intended for Virginia, but given up by their Deputies on occasion of the late alarm. We wish to be informed whether we are indebted to Virginia or to Congress for the last ton. If to Virginia, we can easily settle the account, because we have already lent them twelve barrels: two for the lower Counties, and ten for their sloop-of-war at Alexandria.

Muskets by Captain Tibbet not yet come to hand. They are much wanted. Our Independent Companies are very importunate for arms, which we have not as yet been able to supply them with. Our gunsmiths go on very slowly, and we want small-arms very much. Permit us to request you would remind the Congress of those lent for fitting out the Hornet and Wasp.

We are anxious to have all the powder secured we can; and should be glad to know what quantity Messrs. Willing & Morris sent, and whether any more is to be expected from that quarter soon.

We are satisfied, so far as relates to the Province, with the sale of the vessel called the Wild Duck. W. Lux seems not altogether pleased, and talks that he had some claim; but we think he ought to be contented, all things considered.

Some gold and silver have already come in; and more might be got had we cash to exchange. We are in daily

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