of four men; and that Captain Philip Smith, and three men to be procured by him, be a guard for that purpose.

The following is the charge exhibited against him:

“On the 26th day of February, one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six, at a meeting of Captain Valentine Creagarand Philip Smith’sCompanies of Militia, the said Robert Gassaway, when at exercise as a private man, in Captain Smith’s Company, stepped out of his rank, and publickly and loudly declared, before the aforesaid two companies, and in the presence of several other spectators, that it was better for the poor people to lay down their arms, and pay the duties and taxes laid upon them by the King and Parliament, than to be brought into slavery, and to be commanded and ordered about as they were. He was asked who he meant had brought the people into slavery. He said it was a parcel of great men; that at first they destroyed the tea at Boston, and then, knowing they had done wrong, did not know what they should do to save themselves; therefore ordered all America to be brought under arms, and say, Now, my brave boys, fight away, (clapping his hands to his neck,) for fear their necks would be stretched; that this was only done to save themselves, when they had done wrong, and were in fear of suffering for it.

“Mr. Gassawaywas told that this was only his own opinion, and that he had better keep it to himself. He (Gassaway) said he was satisfied he was right; and further said, the best way was for the people to lay down their arms and petition the Congress to petition the King and Parliament; and if the Congress would not do it, then the people ought to petition the King and Parliament themselves, letting them know that they had laid down their arms; that this was the best method of having a reconciliation; and further said, he wished the eyes of the multitude were opened. That Mr, Gassawayhad been told of this misbehaviour some time afterwards, and been advised to retract and make proper concessions; that he then repeated his opinion, and declared he was right.”

Robert Gassaway, being brought before the Council of Safety, and having satisfied them that he had signed the Association, and had duly enrolled himself in a Company of Militia in FrederickCounty; and at the same time having acknowledged that he had greatly misconducted himself and was sorry that it should be thought he would do anything to disunite the people of this Province, and having promised that he would be very careful of his words and actions for the future,

It is therefore Resolved, That he acknowledge that he was guilty of an offence that might have been of dangerous consequences, and ask pardon at the head of Captain Smith’s Company; and upon payment of all expenses attending the guard, and otherwise complying with the above Resolve, that he be discharged from custody.*

Copy of Letter No. 106 was sent to the Committee of Observation for the Middle District of Frederick County.

Adjourned till next day, ten o’clock.

Friday, April 5, 1776.

Council met. Present as yesterday.

Permit was granted to William Logan to pass with his Vessel and a cargo of goods to Hobbs’s Hole, in the Colony of Virginia, he having taken the customary oath that he will not carry any letters or communicate any intelligence, directly or indirectly, to any person or persons inimical to America.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western-Shore pay to the Committee of Observation of Charles County three hundred Pounds, to enable them to procure Blankets and provide subsistence for Captain Rezin Beall’s Independent Company.

Permit granted to Captain Leyburne to go to Baltimore Town.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western-Shore pay to William Tillard, Quartermaster of the South-RiverBattalion, twenty-one Pounds five Shillings and three Pence, on account of the said Battalion when on duty.

Resolved, That the pay of the Naval Officers in the service of this Province be as follows, to wit:

The Commander to give such further gratuity as may be, necessary for the good of the service.

Commission issued to John Nicholson, appointed First Lieutenant of the Ship Defence, in the room of John Thomas Boucher, who resigned; also, to Aquila Johns, appointed Second Lieutenant, and John Bonnell, Master, of said Ship.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Eastern-Shore pay to Captain James Hindman thirty Pounds eight Shillings and six Pence, being the balance of his general account to the 5th of April.

Ordered, That the said Treasurer pay to Captain James Hindman one hundred Pounds, to purchase Blankets for his Company.

Copy of Letter No. 107 was sent to Captains James Kent and William Henry, Virginia; and a copy of No. 108 to William Hindman, Esq., Treasurer of the Eastern-Shore.

Ordered, That Major Gist send to the Council, under a guard of a commissioned officer and six privates, ten barrels of Musket Gunpowder, out of the Magazine at Baltimore Town; also, all the spare Gunlocks and Blankets, one hundred Cartouch-boxes and Belts, and four pair of Fencing-, Foils; and that he hire a Wagon for that purpose.

Ordered, That the Commissary of Stores furnish the Council with an account of the quantity of Musket Gunpowder in the Magazine at Baltimore Town, and whether there are any Arms arrived from the head of the Bay, and how many.

Adjourned till next day, ten o’clock.

Saturday, April 6, 1776.

Council met. Present as yesterday.

Ordered, That the Commissary of Stores of Baltimore Town, send down by the Wagon which comes with Powder, &c., part of the Shirting and other coarse Linen, and two hundred of the Hats lately arrived from Philadelphia.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western-Shore pay to Captain John Fulfordthree hundred and thirty-eight Pounds three Shillings and four Pence, being the balance of his general account to the 3d of April.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western-Shore pay to Mr. Oliver Whiddoneight Pounds fifteen Shillings, for stocking fourteen Muskets.

Ordered, That the said Treasurer pay to John Bullen twelve Pounds, for the hire of his Teams six days.

Ordered, That the said Treasurer pay to Mr. William Deards forty Shillings, for Straw for the use of the Troops.

Ordered, That the said Treasurer pay to Mr. George Gordon four Pounds, on account of the Iron work for the Gun-Carriages.

Ordered, That the said Treasurer pay to Captain Peter Adams ninety-six Pounds eighteen Shillings, being the balance of his general account to the 3d instant.

Copy of Letter No. 109 was sent to the Deputies of Maryland, in Congress.

Adjourned till Monday morning, ten o’clock.

Monday, April 8, 1776.

Council met. Present as on yesterday, except Mr. Hall.

*I confess that I am sorry to think that I should have said anything that should have given any person reason to think that it was my desire to disunite the people, and acknowledge my error in so doing, and do promise for the time to come to behave myself carefully in the cause of America.

ROBERT GASSAWAY.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.