ESSEX COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE.

At a Committee appointed and held for Essex County, at Tappahannock, on Tuesday, the 16th of April, 1776:

The Sub-Committee of this County having reported to this Committee that it appeared to them, by the Deposition of James Connolly, that John and George Fowler had imported goods into this County contrary to the Association, from Antigua, and referred the consideration thereof to us; the said John Fowler appeared, was heard, and, on consideration of the premises,

Resolved, That it does not appear to this Committee that the said Fowlers imported the said goods into this County as alleged; but that the said goods were imported into Gloucester County, and from thence brought into their store in this County.

Resolved, (It appearing to this Committee that the Committee of Gloucester have had the said goods under their consideration, and determined thereon,) That this Committee will proceed no further with respect to the said goods, the said Committee of Gloucester having taken goods of the said Fowlers to the amount of the invoice produced to them.

Resolved, That this Committee are of opinion that the said Fowlers have violated the Continental Association, and that they be published in the Gazette, as enemies to America, agreeable to the said Association, the offence having been committed before the passing the Ordinance of Convention respecting such cases, and that it be recommended to the good people of this Colony to have no further dealings with them.

JOHN UPSHAW, Chairman.

MARYLAND DELEGATES TO COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Philadelphia, April 16, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: We send by the bearer, (James Rue, a wagoner,) one ton of powder for the use of the Eastern-Shore. You will be pleased to receive it into your care, and advise the Council of Safety of the same, that they may direct the distribution. You will observe that Cecil County is not entitled to any of this powder, as we have already supplied that County from this place. Be so kind as to acknowledge the receipt of the powder by the return of the wagoner.

We are, gentlemen, your most obedient servants,

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

MARYLAND DELEGATES TO COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Philadelphia, April 16, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: We this morning sent off in a wagon one ton of powder for Chestertown, which is directed to the care of Messrs. Smyth & Hands, if absent, to be delivered to the Committee of Observation. We have written these gentlemen to receive the powder, and to await your orders for the distribution. This powder we obtained on application from Congress, who grant supplies to the different Provinces, as the circumstances and situation of them make it necessary. Knowing the exposed and defenceless state of the Eastern-Shore, we have sent off this supply, which we expect will meet your approbation. You will observe Cecil County has been supplied by us from hence with five hundred pounds. We mention this, to prevent any part of the ton being sent to that County.

We send you by the post eight of the plates, with the devices, for the money. Rittenhouse says the remaining four will be finished in ten or twelve days.

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

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO BALTIMORE COMMITTEE.

Philadelphia, April 16, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I received, and immediately communicated to Congress, your letter of the 14th, with the important papers enclosed. In consequence of which, the Congress have resolved that the person and papers of Governour Eden be immediately seized by the Committee of Safety, to whom I write by this opportunity.

The person mentioned in the enclosed resolution (Mr. Alexander Ross) is represented as a dangerous partisan of Administration, who has been lately with Lord Dunmore, and it is suggested is on his way to the Indian country, to execute the execrable designs of our enemies. I have no doubt but you will exert your utmost endeavours in seizing and securing him.

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

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Honourable Committee of Baltimore.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Philadelphia, April 16, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: By the letters of Lord Germaine to your Governour, copies of which you have enclosed, it evidently appears that Mr. Eden has been carrying on a dangerous correspondence with the Ministry of Great Britain, who seem desperately bent on the destruction of America.

The Congress, therefore, have come to a resolution that the person and papers of Governour Eden be immediately seized, from which there is reason to believe we may not only learn, but probably defeat, the designs of our enemies.

The Congress also being informed that there is one Alexander Ross in your Colony, who has lately been with Lord Dunmore, and is represented as a dangerous partisan of the British Administration, him, also, the Congress are desirous of apprehending, and for that purpose have passed a resolution, which you have enclosed with the other. The Congress, relying on your zeal, confide that you will exert your best endeavours in executing these resolutions.

I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland,

In Congress, April 16, 1776.

Whereas information has been this day laid before Congress, from which there is great reason to believe that Robert Eden, Esq., Governour of the Colony of Maryland, has lately carried on a correspondence with the British Ministry highly dangerous to the liberties of America:

Resolved, therefore, That the Council of Safety of Maryland be earnestly requested immediately to cause the person and papers of Governour Eden to be seized and secured, and such of the papers as relate to the American dispute, without delay, conveyed safely to Congress, and that copies of the intercepted letters from the Secretary of State be enclosed to the said Council of Safety.

Resolved, That the Council of Safety of Maryland be requested to cause the person and papers of Alexander Ross to be immediately seized and secured, and that the papers be sent safely to Congress.

And to prevent the said Alexander Ross from any opportunity to escape,

Resolved, That the like request be made to the Committees of Observation for Baltimore and Frederick Counties, in Maryland, in one of which Counties the said Ross probably now is.

Extract from the Minutes:

CHARLES THOMSON, Secretary.

Ordered by Congress to be transmitted to the honourable Council of Safety of the Colony of Maryland.

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL PUTNAM.

Philadelphia, April 16, 1776.

SIR: Congress finding, by intelligence from General Washington, that the greatest part of the troops that were before Boston are either on their march to New-York, or actually arrived there, judge it improper to keep a larger body of men together than is called for in that place. I am therefore commanded by the Congress to direct that you discharge the whole, or such part of the Militia of New-York and Connecticut, now in the pay of the Continent, as