orders every day at noon, or sooner, if you will write me from your lodgings to let me know what hour will be most convenient for you. We shall be able to moralize some moments upon subjects which we have already discussed. I have but little to say to you, which I shall do with a sincerity and candour which I trust you will approve.”

I shall make this visit Saturday night, so as to return here Sunday night or Monday, not being able to do it otherwise. I shall send this letter today to Amsterdam, as they tell me the vessels will else sail without it. I shall therefore give you an account of the conversation in another letter, either by the same vessel or by some other. I am sorry to be obliged to leave you in suspense on a subject so interesting.

Receive, sir, for all the Members of Congress in general, and for yourself, Mr. Dickinson, and Mr. Jay, in particular, the sincere assurances of my profound respect.

DUMAS.

To B. Franklin, Esquire, Chairman of the Committee of Secret, Correspondence.

GEORGIA COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

At a meeting of the Council of Safety, 30th April, 1776: Present: John Wereat, Benjamin Andrews, George, Walton, John Girardeau, Samuel Salters, Jonathan Bryan, Daniel Roberts.

Resolved, That the following Address be presented to his Excellency the President; and that Messrs. Wereat and Roberts do wait on his Excellency to know when he will be pleased to receive the same.

“GEORGIA:

“To His Excellency ARCHIBALD BULLOCK, Esquire, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of GEORGIA: The Address of the Council of Safety for the said Province:

“May it please your Excellency:

“ The long session of the late Congress, together with the season of the year, called particularly for a speedy recess; and the House having adjourned while you were out of town, it becomes more particularly necessary for us to address your Excellency. All, therefore, with unfeigned confidence and regard, beg leave to congratulate, not only your Excellency on your appointment to, but your country on your acceptance of, the supreme command in this Province.

“It would be needless and tedious to recount the various and yet multiplying oppressions which have driven the people of this Province to erect that Government which they have called upon you to see executed; suffice it, then, to declare, that it was only an alternative of anarchy and misery, and, by consequence, the effect of dire necessity. Your Excellency will know that it was the endeavour of the Congress to stop every avenue of vice and oppression, lest the infant virtue of a still more infant Province might in time rankle into corruption; and, we doubt not, that, by your Excellency’s exertions, all the resolutions made or adopted by Congress will be enforced with firmness, without any regard to any individual, or any set of men; for no Government can be said to be established, while any part of the community refuses submission to its authority. In the discharge of this arduous and important task, your Excellency may rely on our constant and best endeavours to assist and support you.”

Messrs. John Wereat and Daniel Roberts, waited on the President; who informed them that he would be ready to receive their Address on to-morrow morning, at nine o’clock.

May 1, 1776.—The Board waited on his Excellency the President, with their Address, to which he was pleased to give the following Answer:

“To the Honourable the Members of the Council of Safety of the Province of GEORGIA:

“HONOURABLE GENTLEMEN: I am much obliged to you for your kind expressions of congratulation on my appointment to the supreme command of this Colony. When I reflect from whence the appointment is derived—that of the free and uncorrupt suffrages of my fellow-citizens, it cannot fail to stimulate me to the most vigorous exertions in the discharge of the important duties to which I am called by our Provincial Congress. While I have the advice and assistance of gentlemen of known integrity and abilities, I doubt not but I shall be enabled to enforce and carry into execution every resolve and law of Congress. And, as far as lies with me, my country may depend I will, with a becoming firmness, and the greatest impartiality, always endeavour to cause justice in mercy to be executed.

ARCHIBALD BULLOCK.

At a meeting of the Council of Safety, May 2, 1776:

GEORGIA.

By His Excellency ARCHIBALD BULLOCK, Esq., President and Commander-in-Chief of the Province of GEORGIA, in Council:

A PROCLAMATION.

Whereas, the honourable the Continental Congress have, among other things, resolved, that the venders of Dry Goods ought not to take advantage of the scarcity that might be occasioned by the Non-Importation Agreement, under pain of being declared inimical to the liberties of America: And whereas, the Provincial Congress have resolved, that whoever shall depreciate the Currency of this Province, shall forfeit all right to protection from said Congress, or any authority acting under it: And whereas, it hath been represented to me in Council that several persons in this Province do, notwithstanding the above resolutions, sell their goods at a most exorbitant price, to the great prejudice of the inhabitants of this Province, especially the poor: I have, therefore, thought fit, with the advice and consent of the Council aforesaid, to issue this my Proclamation, notifying to all persons whom it doth concern, that if they persist in their unwarrantable proceedings they will be subject to the pains and penalties annexed to the foregoing resolutions, and their names published accordingly.

ARCHIBALD BULLOCK.

JOHN DENT TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Charles County, April 30, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: In conformity to the appointment of George Plater, Esquire, and myself, by your Honours, to cooperate with the Commissioners from Virginia in erecting beacons on the river Potomack, we have fixed the different stations for the same to the number of twenty, whereof thirteen are in Maryland, viz: one in Prince George’s, nine in Charles, and three in St. Mary’s; averaging about five miles from each other. To accomplish which we have advanced the sum of thirteen pounds and four-pence-half-penny, a moiety of the charge for a boat and hands, together with a draftsman, exclusive of our own expenses; which I flatter myself will be allowed.

We have likewise agreed upon the form of the alarm post; which is to be a kind of an iron grate, suspended by a chain, on the end of a sweep, fixed with a swivel, so as to be turned agreeable to the wind. And as a further sum of money will be wanting to have them erected, which, with submission to your Honours, I think may be done with greater convenience and despatch by the Committees of Observation, (under our direction,) hope you will order the same into their hands, or otherwise, as you may think proper.

I am, gentlemen, with due esteem, your most obedient humble servant,

JOHN DENT.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

LUX AND BOWLY TO MARYLAND COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Baltimore, April 30, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: As Captain Patterson does not choose to proceed in the Fortune, we have engaged Captain Sund to proceed the voyage, with your approbation; and for that purpose he waits on you. The brig is ready, and we think it the fairest opportunity to push out. We send you, enclosed, some letters we just received from Mr. Vanbibber, by which you will see his situation, and that it is necessary to support him.

We would recommend to order the Captain to St. Martin’s, as Captain Vanbibber directs. You will please to give the Captain his orders, and despatch him as soon as is convenient.

A gentleman from North-Carolina, yesterday, brings us the account of their taking a tender, with old Goodrick, of