“Witness our hands, this 14th March, 1776:

A true copy, attested by

GEORGE LUX, Secretary.

The Committee met, Saturday, March 16, 1776:

Present: Samuel Purviance, Jun., Chairman, William Lux, Vice-Chairman, Thomas Harrison, William Buchanan, John Merryman, J. Ster-reit, John Smith, John Boyd.

Captain David Lawrence, of the Sloop Snowbird, from Rhode-Island, reported his Vessel, with twenty barrels of Cider, and produced a Certificate from Governour Cooke to permit him to load said Vessel; which this Committee readily granted.

At a meeting of the Committee, March 18, 1776:

Present: Samuel Purviance, Chairman, William Lux, Vice-Chairman, Andrew Buchanan, William Buchanan, C. Ridgely, (of William,) John Merryman, Benjamin Nicholson, William Wilkinson, Thomas Harrison, John E. Howard, William Aisquith, George Risteau, James Calhoun, John Cradock, Thomas Sollers, J. Sterrett, John (Jockey, John Smith, Darby Lux, John Boyd, Thomas Gist.

A Reply to the Address from this Committee to Captain James Nicholson, was delivered in, and ordered to be printed in the Papers, together with the Address.

Upon motion, Resolved, That Mr. David Stewart be permitted to transport twenty-five chests of Tea to the head of Elk, he returning a certificate of the delivery of the same to the Committee of Cecil County.

James Mullen appeared before the Committee on an account, by James Donavan, a servant to Thomas Chenoweth, on oath, of his endeavouring to persuade the said Donavan to run away from his master, and go on board a Man-of-War; but the evidences not being able to attend,

It is Resolved, That the said James Mullin give security for his appearance before this Committee, on Monday next, in the sum of two hundred Pounds, and one security in one hundred Pounds.

The aforesaid James Mullin accordingly gave bond as required, with William Collins as security.

Captain Benjamin Nicholson returned an account of sundry Arms seized from persons who have refused to enroll in Back River, Upper Hundred, as in the rough minutes appears, and Messrs. John Gill, Junior, and John Cockey Owings, were appointed.

Mr. David Stewart is permitted to transport twenty-five chests of Tea to the head of Elk, on condition of his returning a certificate of the delivery of the same to the Committee of Cecil County.

Permissions were granted to John Abbott and John Martin Baker, to depart with their two Vessels, (Nos. 15 and 16,) taken up for the publick use at Whetstone Point, they having produced certificates that said Vessels were not wanted.

Captain James Phillips is directed by the Committee to superintend and oversee the completing of whatever is wanting about the Cannon now mounting at Fell’s Point, and to employ whatever Carpenters, Blacksmiths, or other tradespeople, are wanting to complete the said business, and collect the account of all such work, and deliver them in to the Committee, for which service Captain Phillips shall be paid by the Committee.

Captain Job Garritson and Lieutenant Benjamin Bucks are hereby directed to seize all the Fire-arms belonging to the Non-Enrollers of Back River, and to keep and return an exact account to the Committee of said Arms.

GEORGE LUX, Secretary.

At a meeting of the Committee, on Friday, March 22, 1776:

Present: William Lux, Chairman pro tempore, William Buchanan, Thomas Harrison, William Aisquith, John Moale, John Smith, John Boyd.

Captain James Bosley returned two Fire-locks seized by him, viz: One Fusee, belonging to George Fitzhugh, and one belonging to Walter Dulany, both of which were valued at three Pounds ten Shillings, each, by Messieurs George Woolsey and David Stewart, upon oath.

Mr. Hugh Young applied to the Committee for the Schooner Ninety-Two, which he had engaged to load on account of the Province; but as they are of opinion that it is necessary to keep her, to have her sunk in case of need, they think it inexpedient to deliver her up.

The Council of Safety having directed this Committee to prove the Cannon belonging to Captain William Stone, they appoint Captain Nathaniel Smith, Captain John Ful-ford, and Lieutenant Bouchier, to perform that service, and return an account of their number and sizes to this Committee.

At a meeting of the Committee, on Monday, March 25, 1776:

Present: Samuel Purviance, Chairman, William Lux, Vice-Chairman, Andrew Buchanan, William Buchanan, Z. McCubbin, John Merry-man, William Wilkinson, Thomas Harrison, John E. Howard, William Aisquith, James Gittings, James Calhoun, Gist Vaughan, Abraham Britton, Thomas Sollers, J. Sterrett, John Cockey, Thomas Rutter, John Smith, John Boyd, Darby Lux.

Silas Howell, late Mate, and John Wilson and William Sellers, Mariners, of the Sloop John, William Dean, Master, from Cape-Anne to Virginia, taken off York River, as appeared by Protest, and Certificate of the Council of Safety, applied for Passes to the Massachusetts Government, which were granted.

James Mullin appeared before the Committee, according to his recognisance, on the accusation against him, by Thomas Chenoweth, for persuading a servant to elope and go on board a Man-of-War, and several evidences were produced; but no sufficient proof being offered, to prove the fact, the said Mullin was accordingly dismissed.

On application, by Captain William Cromwell, to supply him with Ammunition for the use of his Company, the Committee took the same into their consideration, and are of opinion that the distribution of the Ammunition being in the Council of Safety, they have no power to grant his petition, but that they will apply to the Council of Safety for their orders therein.

Whereas complaint has been made by several persons re siding in Back River, Lower Hundred, that, having enrolled themselves in the Militia thereof, a choice of Officers ensued, whereof Job Garrison was elected Captain, by ballot,