Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western-Shore pay to Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, Esq., one hundred and twenty Pounds, currency, for so much in specie by him paid to Charles Carroll of Carrollton, Esq.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western-Shore pay to Mr. James Dick the sum of twenty-one Pounds and nine Shillings, for Lead and Flints.

Ordered, That Mr. Robert Townsend Hooe be requested immediately to load the Sloop Molly, Captain Conway, with Tobacco, Corn, Flour, and Staves, on account and risk of this Province, upon the best and most reasonable terms; and that he apply to the Council of Safety for sailing orders for her when ready.

Ordered, That Captain John Allen Thomas’s Independent Company be stationed at Leonardtown, in St. Mary’s County.

Ordered, That Captain John Watkins’s Independent Company be stationed at Snow-Hill, in Worcester County; that one half of Captain Edward Veazey’s Independent Company be stationed in Chestertown, in Kent County, and the other half at Blunt’s Warehouse, on Kent Island, in Queen Anne’s County.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western-Shore pay to Mr. Robert Townsend Hooe nine hundred Pounds, currency, on account of the above adventure.

Ordered, That the Committee of Observation for the Middle District of Frederick County send two thousand five hundred pounds of Lead to the Committee of Observation for Charles County.

Adjourned till three o’clock, and met accordingly.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western-Shore pay to John Wells seven Pounds seven Shillings and seven Pence, for three hundred and twenty-two pounds of Beef, given as a compliment by the Council of Safety to Captain Boucher, he having restored five Prisoners.

Ordered, That Captain Joshua Beall, of Prince George’s County, deliver to Colonel William Smallwood, or his order, thirty barrels of Gunpowder imported in the Sloop Molly, Thomas Conway, Master.

Friday, March 15, 1776.

Council met. Present as yesterday.

Commission issued to Samuel Griffith, appointed First Lieutenant, Richard Finley, Second Lieutenant, and James Robinson, Ensign, of Captain William Frisby’s Company of Militia in Kent County.

Ordered, That Colonel William Smallwood be empowered to purchase all the Blankets and Cloth at Bladens-burgh and Georgetown, for the use of the Troops of this Province, and to convey the same to the City of Annapolis.

Ordered, That James Tibbet, master of the Brig Wild Duck, deliver to Mr. William Houston two thousand pounds weight of Gunpowder, and all the Small-Arms and accoutrements thereto belonging, the property of the Province of Maryland, imported in said Brig.

Copy of Letter No. 58 was sent to Mr. Daniel Bowly, of Baltimore Town.

The thanks of the Council were delivered by the President to Captain Nicholson, of the Ship Defence. (Vide No. 59.)

Copy of Letter No. 60 was sent to the Deputies of this Province in Congress.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western-Shore pay to Mr, Adam Lemaistre two hundred Pounds, currency, for Medicine.

Ordered, That the said Treasurer pay to Thomas Stone, Esq., one hundred and fifty Pounds, to defray the expenses of his deputation to the Congress.

Adjourned till next day, nine o’clock.

Saturday, March 16, 1776.

Council met. Present as yesterday, except Mr. Jenifer.

Commissions issued to Robert Bowie, First Lieutenant, William N. Dorsett, Second Lieutenant, and Thomas Hoye, Ensign of a Company of Militia in Prince George’s County.

Also, to William Ringgold, appointed Captain, Charles Cook, First Lieutenant, James Stinson, Second Lieutenant, and Thomas Bailey, Ensign, of a Company of Militia in Queen Anne’s County.

Commissions issued to John Costen, appointed Captain, John Fisher, First Lieutenant, Andrew Sylvester, Second Lieutenant, and Henry Pratt, Jun., Ensign, of a Company of Militia in said County.

Commissions issued to James Boardley, appointed Captain, John Kent, First Lieutenant, James Earle, Second Lieutenant, and Nathan Brown, Ensign, of a Company of Militia in said County.

Also, to Nathaniel Wright, appointed Captain, George Hanson, First Lieutenant, Thomas Emory, Second Lieutenant, and Peter Ritch, Ensign, of a Company of Militia in said County.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western-Shore pay to John Nichols five Pounds, currency, for two and a half days’ Wagon-hire.

Ordered, That said Treasurer pay to Lieutenant John Stewart two hundred Pounds, currency, on account of Captain Thomas’s Company.

The thanks of the Council were sent to the several Brigadier-Generals, respectively. (Vide No. 61.)

Resolved, That as the exigencies may sometimes require that the Militia should be called into service before it can be convenient for the Brigadier-General of the Upper District of the Eastern-Shore to receive particular orders from the Council of Safety; and as no Field-Officers have been appointed to the command of the several Battalions of Militia in Kent County, it is recommended that the Committee of Observation for said County, until Field-Officers be appointed for the same, direct and regulate the operations of the Militia of the said County, in repelling any sudden attack or invasion, where circumstances will not admit of their applying to the Council of Safety or Brigadier-General of the Upper District for the Eastern-Shore, as they shall think most proper for the defence of said County; but it is requested that neither the said Brigadier-General or the said Committee proceed to act without receiving their orders from the Council of Safety or the said Committee, or without having their instructions from the Council or said Brigadier, where the circumstances of the case will admit an application for such orders or instructions without hazarding the publick safety. And that in all instances where the said Brigadier shall act without particular instructions, that he immediately convey intelligence of the cause and manner of their proceedings to the Council; and where the said Committee act without applying to the Council or the said Brigadier, that they also communicate, with the utmost despatch, the cause and manner of their proceedings to the Council, as well as to the said Brigadier, where it may be conveniently done. And the Militia of the said County are required to obey all such orders as shall be made by the said Brigadier or the said Committee in pursuance of this Resolve.

Copy of Letter No. 62 was sent to the Deputies in Congress.

The gentlemen appointed the 21st of January last to make a Chart of the Land and Water at the mouth of this River, specifying the width and depth of the Channel between Horn-Point and Greenbury’s Point, returned a Chart thereof, and delivered the same to the Council; which was ordered to lie on the table.

Sunday, March 17, 1776.

Council met. Present as yesterday.

A Letter was received from Mr. Chamberlaine, Chairman of the Committee of Observation for Talbot County, and answered. (Vide No. 63.)

Copy of Letter No. 64 was sent to Colonel Thomas Wright.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western-Shore pay to Major Price five hundred Pounds, currency, for Rifles.

Ordered, That the Committee of Observation for the Middle District of Frederick County deli ver to Major Price fifteen hundred Flints, five thousand pounds of Lead in Bullets, all the Hangers, Broad-swords, and Cutlasses; and also all the Arms belonging to the Province that are fit for service.