The above is the Report of the Committee ordered to devise a temporary Constitution or form of Government, with the Amendment made in Congress scratched out , April 15, 1776, which Colonel McIntosh begs leave to enclose.

EDMUND PENDLETON TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Williamsburgh, April 28, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: In Committee of Safety we have received intelligence from North- Carolina that they are sending off a number of their Tory prisoners, to be kept partly in Pennsylvania, others in your Province, and the remainder in our Province. We have, at their request, sent a guard to escort them (twenty-six designed for Pennsylvania and twelve for your Province) to Alexandria, to which place you will please to despatch directions where you mean to have yours kept, and appoint a proper guard for conveying them, and also for escorting those for Pennsylvania through your Province.

We need not hint the necessity of using caution to prevent their escape, as their return to Carolina may be attended with bad consequences.

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

EDMUND PENDLETON , President.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

List of Prisoners destined for MARYLAND.

1. Captain William Garner.

2. Aaron Vardie, Wagonmaster.

3. Captain Lyman York.

4. Samuel Devenny, (shot Captain Dent in cold blood.)

5. Stephen Lesney —the same.

6. Frederick Croft —the same.

7. Captain John Piles.

8. John Piles, Jun.

9. Ensign Thomas Brawford.

10. Captain David Jackson.

11. Captain Robinson York.

12. Captain Alexander McCra.

13. Lieutenant Kenneth Stuart.

J. ROGERS TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

April 28, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I shall endeavour to comply with the request in your favour received this morning by express. I am just recovering from a severe attack of the gout, and find myself much relaxed and weakened; but I am in hopes of being able to set off on Wednesday next, and of getting to Philadelphia time enough for such of the American gentlemen as intend to be at the Convention, to attend the first day of its meeting.

I am, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

J. ROGERS.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

STEPHEN WEST TO GABRIEL DUVALL.

Woodyard, Sunday Night, April 28, 1776.

SIR: Two men of Captain Stone’s Company, (Thomas Norris and George Thomas,) stopping here for quarters, I had some discourse with them relative to the troops stationed near us, viz: at Port-Tobacco; and am sorry to hear that they have no arms. I have been so closely engaged at work for other people that I have done but little for myself in fixing and finishing my barrels. I have just heard of one which I think is every way as indifferent as any I shall have. The rest of the bayonets will be better, and most of the guns larger and stouter. Yet this one I think superior to any I have seen made in the country, and every way better finished.

This gun, reckoning only twenty-two shillings and six pence for the barrel, stands me five pounds seven shillings and six pence. Supposing the barrels at Harris’s price, (thirty-five shillings,) would bring the piece to six pounds two shillings and six pence; and that would leave me fifteen shillings for my trouble and profit, collecting materials, &c. Few officers, I believe, have so good and well furnished pieces. The Pennsylvania gunsmiths contracted with the Virginia Convention for five pounds six shillings and three pence, with wooden rammers, and the sample no way comparable to this. My barrels have all been proved. If the honourable Council of Safety chooses to take what I have at the price above, of six pounds two shillings and six pence, I will engage to furnish a quantity in a short time, (say fifty,) equally good and well finished; and many of them every way much better. Some I have that belonged to the troops under Forbes and Stanwix, that I think superior to any I ever saw, every way. These are in hand, repairing and fixing; and when done will be wonderfully large and good. I paid a high price for them, and cannot afford them for less than six pounds two shillings and six pence. I shall have many fine pieces, fit for officers—guns that cost three and four guineas at London, which I have equipped with swivels and bayonets, and made all very fine and complete. I have had an offer from the Virginia Convention, by their agents, which I decline, our own people wanting. Please to take care of this gun and bayonet, and show them to the Council of Safety. If they think proper to contract with me, I will deal cordially and honourably with them, and put good arms into their hands. The stocks will all be in that taste, but many much stouter and handsomer.

I want brasses for mounting. You see I am forced to put polished iron or steel guards. Mr. Peale will be at Annapolis on Tuesday; if you have opportunity, let me hear from you on this subject, and the opinion and determination of the Council of Safety. These men (the bearers) can give them some account of the valuable pieces we have in hand.

My barrels, in general, are three and-a-half feet long, three-quarters bore, for an ounce ball; but some of them are of a large size. I have also some neat carbines for officers. If the Council choose wooden ramrods, I shall abate five shillings, but the others are far the best. You will see none such as mine, unless in very particular pieces.

I am, with much regard, sir, your obedient servant,

STEPHEN WEST.

To Gabriel Duvall, Esquire.

E. WRIXON TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read April 29, 1776.]

Philadelphia, April 28, 1776.

SIR: Having been favoured with Mr. Secretary Thomson’s letter, written by order of the honourable the Continental Congress, notifying their appointment of me to the office of Chief Engineer of the Continental Army in Canada, with the rank of Colonel, I must take the liberty to request that you will do me the favour of assuring the Congress of the high and grateful sense I entertain of the honour conferred by their appointment, and also of the unhappy necessity that obliges me to decline it; being convinced by fourteen years’ service, during which my whole time and thoughts were directed in the military line, that the rank of Colonel would not enable me to do justice either to their honours, or to myself.

I must now, sir, request that you will be so kind as to excuse the trouble I have given you; and believe that I have the honour to be, with the greatest respect, your very humble and obedient servant,

E. WRIXON.

To the Honourable John Hancock, Esq., President of the honourable the Continental Congress.

EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM JOHN ADAMS, DATED PHILADELPHIA, APRIL 28, 1776.

Yesterday I received two letters from you, from the 7th to the 14th of April. It gives me concern to think of the many cares you must have upon your mind. Your reputation as a farmer, or anything else you undertake, I dare answer for. Your partner’s character as a statesman is much more problematical.

As to my return, I have not a thought of it. Journeys of such a length are tedious and expensive, both of time and money; neither of which is my own. I hope to spend the next Christmas where I did the last, and after that, I hope

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