with the officer which Captain Nicholson sends with you, and let your measures be kept as secret as possible from the men, at least till it comes to the execution.

“I am, sir, on behalf of the Committee, your very humble servant,

“SAMUEL PURVIANCE JUN., Chairman.

“To Captain Samuel Smith.”

On the back of the above Instructions was thus endorsed, to wit:

“April 16, 1776.

“SIR: You will take care to proceed with what number of men you may think necessary out of your company, agreeable to the annexed instructions. Wishing you a pleasant and prosperous voyage, am yours truly,

“M.GIST.

“To Captain Samuel Smith.”

Mr. Purviance was then examined concerning the said Instructions, and other matters, and his examination taken in writing, a copy whereof is filed. He was told by the President he might be furnished from the Clerk with a copy of his examination, in order that he might explain such of his answers as he thought proper.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western-Shore pay to Messrs. Daniel and Samuel Hughes two hundred Pounds, currency.

Ordered, That Captain James Nicholson, Major Mordecai Gist, and Captain Samuel Smith, immediately attend the Council of Safety, at the City of Annapolis; and that the Clerk make out and deliver to the Messenger separate copies, to be served on them respectively.

Adjourned till next day, ten o’clock.

Thursday, April 25, 1776.

Council met. Present as yesterday.

Ordered, That the person and papers of Alexander Ross, together with a copy of his examination, be sent under a guard to the honourable Congress; and that Colonel Smallwood be requested to appoint a commissioned officer and two privates to be a guard for that purpose.

Copy of Letter No. 129 was sent to the Honourable John Hancock, Esquire, President of the Congress; and copy of No. 130 to the Deputies of this Province in Congress.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western-Shore pay to the Committee of Observation for the Middle District of Frederick County eighty-six Pounds four Shillings and six Pence, to discharge the pay of the Minute Companies there.

Copy of Letter No. 131 was sent to John Hanson, Esq., Chairman of the Committee for the Middle District of Frederick County.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western-Shore pay to Lieutenant Samuel Turbutt Wright sixty Pounds, on account of Captain Veazey’s Independent Company.

Ordered, That the Commissary of Stores deliver to Lieutenant Samuel Turbutt Wright three Blankets and three pieces Britannias, for Captain Edward Veazey’s Company.

Mr. Purviance appeared, and presented to the Council an explanation of some of the answers he made to the questions propounded to him yesterday; which were read, and ordered to he on the table.

Adjourned till next day, ten o’clock.

Friday, April 26, 1776.

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

Permits granted to the Boat Gimlet, Gilbert Middleton master, and Schooner Ranger, George Steel master, to pass to Baltimore Town.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western-Shore pay to Mr. John Brice ten Pounds, currency, for repairing a house for the reception of the Records of Anne Arundel County.

Captain James Nicholson, in obedience to the order of the 24th instant, having appeared before the Board, in consequence of instructions he had given his First Lieutenant, the Council proceeded to hear what he had to allege as a justification or excuse for giving said orders.

He urged a conversation with Mr. Purviance, Chairman of the Committee of Baltimore County; and that he showed him a letter from General Lee. And Captain Nicholson declaring upon his honour that he expected his office was to act only on the water, and that he expected Captain Smith would have applied to the Council of Safety for instructions, and having before made concessions by his letter of the 21st instant,

Thereupon, Ordered, That Captain Nicholson be informed of the opinion of this Board, that General Lee has no authority within this Province; and that Mr. Purviance exceeded his power in giving directions to the purport he had done; and that he be cautioned to be more on his guard for the future.

Major Mordecai Gist, in obedience to the order of the 24th instant, having also appeared before the Council, in consequence of his instructions to Captain Samuel Smith, and alleging he gave the same in a hurry, and through inadvertency, and declaring upon his honour that he apprehended Captain Smith, when he came to Annapolis, was to take his orders from the Council of Safety,

Thereupon, Ordered, That he be informed as above the opinion of this Board; and that he be cautioned to be more on his guard for the future.

Captain Samuel Smith, in obedience to the order of the 24th instant, also appeared before the Council, and was examined with respect to the instructions he received from Mr. Samuel Purviance, and his conduct after his arrival at Annapolis, in consequence of said instructions; in vindication whereof he presented a representation of his conduct to the Council, in writing; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western-Shore pay to John Gordon five hundred and ninety-six Pounds four Shillings, for nine hundred and ninety-four Cartouch-boxes, Bayonet-belts, and Gun-slings.

Commissions issued to Samuel Calwell, appointed Captain, Thomas Hutchens, First Lieutenant, and Joseph Sewell, Second Lieutenant, of a Company of Militia in Harford County, belonging to the Eighth Battalion.

Also, to James McComas, appointed Captain, Benjamin Scott, First Lieutenant, Martin Preston, Second Lieutenant, and James Steel, Ensign, of a Company of Militia in said County, belonging to the said Battalion.

Also, to Benjamin Bussey, appointed Captain, Joshua Mills, First Lieutenant, Azael Hitchcock, Jun., Second Lieutenant, and Joseph Ames, Ensign, of a Company of Militia of said Battalion.

Also, to Robert Harris, appointed Captain, William Coale, First Lieutenant, William Downes, Second Lieutenant, and Joshua Renshaw, Ensign, of a Company in same Battalion.

Also, to James St. Clair, appointed Second Lieutenant to Captain McComas’s Company of Militia in said County.

Also, to Alexander Cowen, appointed Captain, John Beale Howard, First lieutenant, Samuel Groome Osburn, Second Lieutenant, and Lambert Wilmer, Ensign, of a Company of Militia in said County.

Also, to William Webb, appointed Captain, Ignatius Wheeler, First Lieutenant, William Fisher, Second Lieutenant, and Samuel Webb, Jun., Ensign, of a Company of Militia in said County.

Also, to Joseph Patrick, appointed Captain, Winston Dallam, First Lieutenant, Samuel Bailey, Second Lieutenant, and Richard Ward, Ensign, of a Company of Militia in said County.

Also, to John Jolly, appointed Captain, John Montgomery, First Lieutenant, James Wilson, Second Lieutenant, and James Thomas, Ensign, of a Company of Militia in said County.

Mr. Purviance appeared, and was informed by the President that the Council of Safety, on considering his conduct, and the high and dangerous offence of assuming the supreme Executive power in this Province, had resolved that he should enter into a recognisance in the sum of five hundred Pounds, current money, for his appearance at the Convention, on Thursday the 9th day of May next, as this matter would then be laid before that meeting for their consideration. His Recognisance is as follows:

“You, Samuel Purviance, acknowledge yourself to owe