Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western-Shore pay to Major Gist one hundred and fifty Pounds, currency, to be accounted for.

Mr. Hands has leave of absence.

Adjourned till next day, nine o’clock.

Monday, March 18, 1776.

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

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Eastern-Shore de liver to Mr. Charles Wallace unsigned Bills of Credit, of this Province, to the amount of six thousand Pounds.

Copy of Letter No. 65 was sent to William Hindman, Treasurer of the Eastern-Shore.

Adjourned till three o’clock, and met accordingly.

Commissions issued to Thomas Williams, appointed First Major, and Thomas Snowden, Second Major, of the Twen ty-Fifth Battalion of Militia in Prince George’s County.

Also, to Thomas Richardson, appointed Captain, Ralph Crabb, First Lieutenant, and William Holmes, Second Lieu tenant, of a Company of Militia in said County.

And, also, to Basil Waring, the 3d, appointed Captain, and William D. Beall, First Lieutenant, of a Company of Militia in said County, belonging to the Twenty-Fifth Battalion.

Adjourned till next day, nine o’clock.

Tuesday, March 19, 1776.

Council met. Present as yesterday.

Mr. Jenifer attended.

Ordered, That Colonel Joshua Beall, of Prince George’s County, deliver unto George Mason and John Dalton, Es quires, of Fairfax County, Virginia, or their order, ten bar rels of Gunpowder, imported in the Sloop Molly, Thomas Conway, Master.

Copy of Letter No. 66 was sent to George Mason and John Dalton, Esquires.

Copy of Letter No. 67 was sent to the Committee of Safety of Virginia, and copies of No. 68 to the Honourable George Plater, Esq., and Brigadier-General Dent, respectively.

Ordered, That a Magazine be built, at the publick expense, in the neighbourhood of Captain James Tootell’s, un der the inspection of John Hall, Esq., upon the following plan, viz: A brick-house, sixteen feet square, with a pigeon-house roof. The walls to be two bricks to the first floor, and a brick and a half afterwards; about nine feet pitch; walls to be battened with wooden blocks, and lathed and plastered; two small windows with iron bars; one door; two small centry boxes made with plank on end; an iron rod to prevent lightning falling on the Magazine.

As it may sometimes be necessary for the defence of this Province, that the Militia should be called into service to repel sudden attacks and invasions before it can be convenient for the Brigadiers-General and other Field-Officers to receive particular orders from the Council of Safety:

It is therefore Resolved, That, upon such exigencies, the several Brigadiers-General may call out and direct and re gulate the operations of the Militia in their respective Districts according to the best of their skill and judgment; and that the other Field-Officers, where circumstances will not admit of their applying either to the Council of Safety or their Brigadiers for orders, have the like powers with respect to their several Battalions. But it is required that, in all instances where the Brigadiers shall proceed without particular orders, they immediately convey intelligence of the cause and manner of their proceedings to the Council of Safety; and where the other Field-Officers act without applying to the Council of Safety or their Brigadier, that they also communicate with the utmost despatch the cause and manner of their proceedings, to the Council of Safety, as well as to their Brigadier, when, from his situation, it may be conveniently done. And the Militia are required to obey all such orders as shall be made by the Brigadiers, or other Field-Officers, in pursuance of this resolve.

Ordered, That copies of the above Resolve be sent to the several Brigadiers-General respectively, requesting them to furnish the Colonel of each Battalion in their respective Districts with a copy thereof.

Ordered, That the Committee of Observation for Kent County send, under a guard of a commissioned officer and two privates of Captain Veazey’s Company, two barrels and a half of Gunpowder, out of the Powder received from Captain Tibbet, to the Committee of Observation for Queen Anne’s County, or to such person or persons as they shall appoint to receive it; also two barrels to the Committee of Talbot County; and one barrel to the said Committee, for the use of the Committee of Caroline County; and four and a half barrels to Mr. Richard Harrison, of Cambridge, for the use of Dorchester, Somerset, and Worcester Counties.

Ordered, That the Committee of Observation for Do chester County send, under a guard of a commissioned officer and two privates of Captain Woolford’s Company, one barrel of Gunpowder to the Committee of Worcester County, or to such person or persons as they shall appoint to receive it.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western-Shore pay to Mr. Stephen West ninety-five Pounds eleven Shillings and one Penny, for Gunlocks and Cutteau-Knives.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Eastern-Shore pay to the Committee of Observation for Queen Anne’s County fifty-two Pounds and ten Pence, currency, to reimburse them for the expenses incurred in arming and accoutring Captain Kent’s Minute Company.

Copy of Letter No. 69 was sent to the Committee of Observation for Queen Anne’s County; and copy of No. 70 to Mr. Hugh Young, of Baltimore Town.

Adjourned till three o’clock, and met accordingly.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western-Shore pay to Captain Patrick Sim thirty-nine Pounds thirteen Shil lings, for Blankets for his Company.

Stephen Gartrill and James Morris, together with the charge against them, being sent under guard to the Council, by the Committee of Observation for the Elkridge Department of Anne Arundel County,

Ordered, That the said Stephen Gartrill and James Morris be committed to the custody of Colonel William Small wood, till to-morrow morning.

Adjourned till next day, nine o’clock.

Wednesday, March 30, 1776.

Council met. Present as yesterday.

Copy of Letter No. 71 was sent to Mr. William Ennalls, of Dorchester County.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western-Shore pay to Messrs. William Lux and David Bowly one hundred and ninety-one Pounds six Shillings and six Pence, for clothing for the Troops.

Copy of Letter No. 72 was sent to Colonel John Veazey, of Cecil County.

Ordered, That all Vessels loaded with country produce on account and risk of this Province, proceed as soon as may be on their voyage, agreeable to contract.

Ordered, That the Committee of Observation for Baltimore County be requested to furnish the Council of Safety with an account of the Gunpowder and chests of Arms received by them from the northward, and also of the Car touch-boxes delivered the Militia upon the late alarm, and to collect and lodge them in the Magazine at Baltimore Town; also to prove the Cannon offered the Committee by Mr. Hercules Courtenay, at his expense, and report the value and condition thereof to the Council.

Ordered, That Colonel Smallwood be requested to send Stephen Gartrill and James Morris, under a guard, immediately to the Council of Safety.

Commissions issued to Timothy McNemarra, appointed Captain, John Stewart McNemarra, First Lieutenant, Charles Johnson, Second Lieutenant, and John Carwan, Ensign, of a Company of Militia in Dorchester County.

Also, to Benjamin Keene, appointed Captain, John Ketne, Jun., First Lieutenant, Richard Tubman, Second Lieutenant, and John Griffith, Ensign, of a Company of Militia in said County.