of his posterity, to secure and defend with his life and fortune a form of Government so just, so equitable, and promising; to inculcate its principles to their children, and hand it down to them unviolated, that the latest posterity may enjoy the virtuous fruits of that work, which the integrity and fortitude of the present age had, at the expense of their blood and treasure, at length happily effected.

VI. We cannot but declare how great the pleasure, the harmony, and political union which now exists in this District, affords; and having no grievances to complain of, only beg leave to recommend that a new Jury list be made for this District, the present being insufficient.

And lastly, we beg leave to return our most sincere thanks to Mr. Justice Matthews, for his spirited and patriotick charge; at the same time requesting that these our presentments be printed in the publick papers.

To the Honourable the Convention of the Province of MARYLAND, now sitting:

The Memorial of HENRY RIDGELY, of ELKRIDGE, in ANNE ARUNDEL County, most humbly showeth:

That your memorialist did early in life quit a domestick happiness to commence soldier, and had the honour of commanding a company of Rangers on the western frontiers of this Province, soon after the defeat of General Braddock, in the year 1775, at which time the cruel savages were laying waste the country and murdering the inhabitants; and that your memorialist’s conduct and behaviour in that service was approved of by Colonel Sharpe, then Governour of Maryland; and on your memorialist quitting the ranging service, was promoted to the command of the Elkridge troop of Horse, which station he filled many years, to the entire satisfaction of his Field Officers; whereupon the late Governour Sharpe promoted him to be a Major of the County aforesaid, in the year 1761, and he was continued as such until the year 1773, when the present Governour Eden raised your memorialist to the office of Lieutenant-Colonel in said County.

Your memorialist further begs leave to inform your Honours, that after perusing the proceedings of the Convention held in the latter part of the year 1774, he was one of the first men in the Elkridge District that requested a meeting of the people, to form themselves into a company of Militia, which was accordingly done, and Mr. John Burgess chosen Captain, your memorialist having declined that honour, although unanimously offered to him, knowing he could be of more service to the cause in assisting in the formation of other companies; and accordingly, in the month of June last, your memorialist went into the neighbourhood of Mr. Thomas Dorsey, who had been six months unsuccessfully striving to raise a company, and after advertising a meeting of the inhabitants, a number of them met, and would have chosen your memorialist Captain, but were prevailed upon by him to choose Mr. Thomas Dorsey their Captain, who appeared exceedingly desirous of the command. Your memorialist conceives that, agreeable to the resolves of the late Convention, he is exempt from serving in the Militia as a private, or in any other station lower than he hath heretofore filled. Nevertheless, as the honourable Convention did not distinguish between the officers commissioned under the legal, or old form of Government, and those under the authority of the Convention, your memorialist did enroll himself as a private in Captain Tootle’s company, although at the distance of twenty miles from his habitation, rather than be harassed by the Committee of Observation, composed entirely of Militia officers except one man, and to avoid the indignity of being commanded by the first officer of the Elkridge battalion, who most shamefully and cowardly quitted his post when under your memorialist’s command twenty-one years ago.

Your memorialist hath nothing more to ask of your Honours than a candid consideration of this memorial, and pass a resolve for his exemption from further duty as a militiaman; at the same time he most solemnly assures your Honours that he doth not desire or intend to withdraw himself from the service of his native country, but, on the contrary, will stand forth, as far as In his power lies, (as a volunteer or independent,) with the stoutest champion for American liberty. In full expectation of a favourable issue, the above is most cheerfully submitted to the consideration of your honourable House, by your memorialist,

H. RIDGELY.

Elkridge, May 20, 1776.

BALTIMORE COMMITTEE TO MARYLAND CONVENTION.

In Committee, Baltimore, May 20, 1776.

GENTELMEN: We are favoured with your letter of the 15th, enclosing a copy of a certain Purnall Johnson’s petition to your honourable House, and your resolve thereon; in answer to which we beg leave to inform you, that we are possessed of no facts relative to any disputes on Mr. Johnson’s account; and so far from having questioned the justice thereof, we have never yet seen, nor has he ever yet laid it before us.

This Committee sometime ago sent down to the Council of Safety a state of a certain Alexander McGee’s case, and wished to know their further directions on it. We understand the affair has been laid before your honourable House; if so, be pleased to inform us of your determination thereon, as the man is still under guard, in care of the commanding officer of the regular troops here, who is anxious to have him discharged, or to receive your particular instructions concerning him.

We are, gentlemen, your obedient, humble servants,

To Charles Carroll, Esquire, Barrister.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO CAPTAIN NICHOLSON.

SIR: We have received information that there are no vessels of war below except the Otter and Eilbeck, and that most of the tenders are gone to the Carolina coast, to protect the transports on their arrival there; in consequence of which we have ordered down the brigs Fortune and Rogers, and the schooner Ninety-Two, with valuable cargoes of bread, flour, &c., and require you will give them what assistance you can in getting out, if you see a probability of their running through; but if, from any certain intelligence which you may receive, you should think it most likely they may fall into the hands of the enemy if they proceed, we would have you immediately order them to return to Baltimore. It is a matter of great consequence to the Province to have these vessels get safe out, if possible; and we would have them conveyed down as low as you think you can venture with safety to yourself.

We are, &c.

To Captain James Nicholson.

P. S. Order the boat which will deliver you this to speak the vessels on their way down the bay, and let them know where to join you.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL LEE.

Philadelphia, May 20, 1776.

SIR: By the enclosed resolves of Congress, which I have the honour of transmitting, you will perceive that your several letters have been received, and that the Congress have fully expressed their sense with regard to the subject of them.

The Congress highly approve of your vigilance and attention to the important duties of your Department. You may rest assured they will always co-operate with you in all your laudable schemes to establish the liberties of the United Colonies; an event which, I trust, by the blessing of God, we shall be able finally to accomplish, in spite of