another, which would enable them to be clean and comfortable.

I am, with much regard, sir, your very obedient, humble servant,

W. SMALLWOOD.

To Thomas Johnson, Esq.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO NORTH-CAROLINA COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

GENTLEMEN: We are informed by Mr. Hugh Young, that five hundred weight of powder, belonging to this Province, arrived at Newbern, in North-Carolina, from St. Eustatia, shipped by Captain Abraham Vanbibber, on board of Captain Luce. You will probably want the powder, therefore we have given him no orders for its removal, but will exchange, if you think proper, for the same quantity, to be delivered us by your Delegates at Philadelphia.

We are, &c.

To the Committee of Safety of North-Carolina.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO CAPTAINS SAND, RIDLEY, AND MAWBRAY.

GENTLEMEN: This Board have been requested by the Convention to countermand your orders for sailing. You are therefore not to move from your station till you have further directions; or if you have moved, you are to return into the river Patapsco. We are, &c.

To Captains Sand, Ridley, and Mawbray.

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

Philadelphia, May 25, 1776.

SIR: As the Congress have desired the battalions of Associators in and near the City and Liberties to have their battalions drawn out as early as they can on Monday morning, and propose with the Generals now in town to attend the review at nine o’clock, I have it in command to order you to draw out such of the Continental troops as have arms, and form them in battalion with the Associators aforesaid.

I am, sir, your most obedient servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Commanding Officer of the Continental Troops in Philadelphia.

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY (PENNSYLVANIA) ASSOCIATORS.

At a meeting of the Associators belonging to the Second Battalion, and others, inhabitants of the County of Northampton, near to Lawrence Good’s Plantation, in Whitehall Township, May 27, 1776—consisting of about nine hundred men.

Major Philip Boehm being unanimously chosen, was seated in the chair.

The Resolve of Congress of the 15th instant being read, was unanimously approved of.

The Protest of the 20th instant, of divers inhabitants of this Province in behalf of themselves and others, to the honourable the Representatives of Pennsylvania, being read, was unanimously approved.

It being moved, and the question thereupon put, Whether the present Government is competent to the exigencies of our affairs? The same was carried in the negative unanimously.

Resolved, unanimously, That a Provincial Convention ought to be chosen by the people, for the express purpose of carrying the said Resolve of Congress into execution.

Resolved, unanimously, That a reasonable number of the Committee of Northampton County be appointed (by the Committee) to meet a number from the other County Committees, at Philadelphia, the 18th day of next month, to hold a Provincial Conference, in order to determine upon the number of which the Convention for framing a new Government shall be composed, and the manner in which they shall be elected.

Resolved, unanimously, That the Chairman be directed to sign these Resolves on behalf of this present assembly.

Resolved, unanimously, That we will support the measures now adopted at all hazards, be the consequences what they may.

PHILIP BOEHM, Chairman.

MEETING OF COMMITTEE OF PRIVATES.

The Committee of Privates of Colonel Bartraim Galbraith’s Battalion having received the Circular Letter from the Committee of Privates of this City and Liberties, with the copy of the Protest entered into, the Proceedings of the publick meeting held on the 20th ultimo, and the alarm, after due and mature deliberation on the aforesaid papers, unanimously entered into the following Resolutions:

“Elizabethtown, May 27, 1776.

“Resolved, unanimously, That we join with you, gentlemen, in your Protest, and the late Resolve of Congress for totally suppressing all power and authority derived from the Crown of Great Britain, and the contents of the above-mentioned papers.

“Resolved, unanimously, That we will support you in the measures you have now adopted at all hazards, be the consequences what they may, as our views and interests are the same with yours.

JOHN JAMISON, Sen., President.

To the Committee of Privates, Philadelphia.

NEW-YORK COMMITTEE.

Committee-Chamber, May 25, 1776.

Whereas information has been given to this Committee, that a report is circulating greatly to the prejudice of John Alsop, Esq., respecting the sale of some Tea, and his refusing Continental Money for the same:

Resolved, That Mr. Dunscomb and Mr. Berrian wait upon Mr. Alsop and acquaint him therewith.

Mr. Dunscomb and Mr. Berrian having waited upon him, report, That Mr. Alsop is desirous to be called before this Committee, requesting, at the same time, that Colonel Lott and Mr. Van Alstyne (from whom the report was said to have originated) might be ordered to attend also.

Colonel Lott attending this Committee, says: That Mr. Alsop told Mr. Van Alstyne that he could not sell his Tea for less than six shillings per pound, being a company concerns Mr. Van Alstyne replied, What can I get, then, by retailing it again? Mr. Alsop then answered, that he could not tell, but that he had been told some persons charged for bags and twine. That Mr. Alsop said he would be glad to receive one shilling and three pence, hard money, for the Tea, to pay a debt contracted by Congress in Canada. Mr. Lott told him he had about three hundred pounds in New-York and Jersey. Mr. Alsop answered, he would rather take Continental, as that would pass better at Philadelphia.

Mr. Van Alstyne attended this Committee, and says: That he went with Colonel Lott to Mr. Alsop to purchase Tea. That Mr. Alsop told him it was six shillings per pound, half hard money; that he wanted to procure hard money for the Congress, to discharge a debt contracted in Canada; that the examinant asked Mr. Alsop how he could sell the Tea for six shillings, if he paid six shillings for it. That Mr. Alsop made answer, that he might sell the Tea for six shillings, and charge for the bags.

Mr. Alsop being sent for, attended, and confessed the truth of Mr. Lott’s evidence, but does not remember that he told Mr. Van Alstyne he might sell the Tea for six shillings, and charge for the bags, as mentioned in Mr. Van Alstyne’s information, but might have said he heard it was done; and if he had said so, it was not right, and he was sorry for it.

The Committee taking the above matters into consideration, and debates arising thereon, the following questions were put:

1. Whether Mr. Alsop has violated the Resolve of Congress in the sale of Tea? Carried in the negative.

2. Whether Mr. Alsop has violated the Resolve of Congress in asking hard money on the sale of Tea? Carried in the negative.

Mr. Alner then moved, seconded by Mr. Harper, That the Minutes of this Committee should be published.

Debates arising thereon, and the question being put, was carried in the negative.