he supposed some of the seven passengers, part of them be­long to New-England, and part upon Long-Island; he after said, in passing the man-of-war the Phenix, hailed them and brought them to.

3. Benjamin Scribner, three months ago from New-Eng­land, Norwalk, saith: Thirty bushels of clams passed the man-of-war clear, went to the Jerseys, into a harbour up to a landing alongside of a dock, where they sold their clams to the Jersey people; and these passengers came to them by land to the dock and stept aboard. He further says, he agreed with the first, Nathan Gyer, at Blue-Point, and was to give him eight shillings for his passage, to carry him to Egg-Harbour. Further says, they lay a week fast to the dock at the Jerseys; that none of them can remember what part of the Jerseys they went to.

Examined before us:

JOSHUA KETCHAM

One of the Committee for the Township of Huntington.

BENJAMIN BIRDSALL,

One of the Committee for the County of Queens.

May 24, 1776.

On 26th of May, 1776, sitting with a prospect glass and looking out of a chamber-window, I saw a small sail moving eastward, which appeared to me to be without the beach; immediately after, I perceived she came about and ran wes terly, at which time I saw another sail that appeared to be a greater distance, and directly came about and passed each other two or three times; and then the first sail discovered stood to the eastward and came into the inlet opposite to Fort-Neck, and came directly up the bay within about half a mile of the said neck, and there grounded on a sand bar; as soon as sails were down, I discovered seven men that I could count by looking through the glass; being dissatisfied with seeing more men than common in so small a sloop, though large to come into our bay, I set out about sunset with a boy to row me aboard and see who they were and what their business was; when I came near I hailed her, and after asking my business several times without my giving a direct answer, I went aboard; they appeared much sur­ prised when seeing but three men on board; I asked where the other men were; they told me they were gone ashore for lodging, but they knew not to what landing; that they came from Elizabeihtown, and wanted to get a load of clams; that they saw no sail without the beach; and that they made no turns nor tacks, until they came into the inlet; and that they were not obliged to go within sight of the men-of-war to come from Elizabethtown here; and that they intended to go the next morning themselves on shore to hire men to get clams for them.

GILBERT JONES,

One of the Committee for the Township of Oyster-Bay.

KENNETH MACCLOUD TO COMMODORE HOPKINS.

Providence, May 29, 1776.

SIR: Please to let me know whether you station me ashore in the fort, or on board the ship; if on board the ship, I would take the office of Quartermaster, if you please. But I am content either way, for I am determined to stay by you so long as I receive the same good treatment as I always have from you. But Captain Saltonstall I will not sail with; but with you, I can sail so long as I live. This from your humble servant,

KENNETH MACCLOUD.

To Esek Hopkins, Esq., Commander-in-Chief of the Ame­rican Fleet.

CAPTAIN HAMMOND TO GOVERNOUR EDEN.

Roebuck, at Gwin’s Island, May 30, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I have received your letter of the 26th in­stant by Mr. Smith, who arrived here yesterday, and am sorry (though not surprised) to learn that you think it ne­cessary to leave Annapolis. The Province of Maryland has hitherto been looked upon as having acted with a degree of moderation in the present unnatural rebellion subsisting in the Colonies, and I had some expectation, from your con­tinuing in your Government, that you might have been able to convince the people of the impossibility of their succeed­ing in the plan that America is now pursuing; which is the only motive, I fear, that will have any weight in bringing them back to their allegiance; but as you have certainly now given this a very fair trial, and it is become apparent that the matter can only be settled by force of arms, I con­fess that I think your remaining longer among them would only be exposing yourself to insults, and would answer no good purpose to his Majesty’s service. I shall, therefore, very soon send one of the King’s ships to receive you on board, until a passage can be provided for you to England, which I believe will happen very shortly. I shall also not fail to give orders to the ship, that she shall commit no hostilities at Annapolis whilst on that service. But as no officer in his Majesty’s service can be supposed to suffer patiently the smallest insult to be offered to the British colours, it will be necessary for you to inform the persons that assume the government of the people, that if the peace is not as strictly observed on the part of the Provincials, both with regard to the boats as well as the ship, during the time it may be necessary for her stay on the coasts of Maryland, that any orders which I may think proper to issue for the purpose will not restrain the Captain of the ship from acting as he shall think proper and necessary upon the occasion.

Had I not received your letter, you would certainly have heard from me in a few days, to have acquainted you that his Excellency the Earl of Dunmore and myself, with the joint forces under our command, left Norfolk on the 23d instant, and put into this harbour on the 28th, in order to complete our wood and water, where we at present remain.

I have the honour to be, dear sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

A. S. HAMMOND.

To Robert Eden, Esquire, Governour of Maryland.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO WORCESTER COUNTY COMMITTEE.

GENTLEMEN: The bearer hereof, Mr. John Galloway, is, with some other gentlemen in partnership, about setting up and carrying on a salt work, under the encouragement of the last Convention. He is in a great measure unacquainted in your County, and as the work will be of the greatest publick utility, we take the liberty of recommending him to your notice and countenance, and shall be much obliged to you for any assistance you may give him, or any favours you will be pleased to confer upon him. We are, &c.

To the Committee of Observation for Worcester County.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO CAPTAIN NICHOLSON.

SIR: You will please to proceed to Baltimore, and wait our further orders. We send this by Mr. Middleton, whose boat you may keep with the ship until you come off Anna­polis, presuming you will not want her further; if, however, it should not be necessary for her to attend you, you will order her down the Bay, to gain what intelligence she can of the ships you left below. We are, &c.

To Captain James Nicholson.

SECRET COMMITTEE OF CONGRESS TO CAPTAIN HODGE.

Philadelphia, May 30, 1776.

SIR: As you are now bound on a voyage to Europe, with a view of procuring sundry articles that are wanted here, and have expectations that your friend Jean Wanderwoordt will supply such as we may desire, provided he is assured of being duly paid the cost, with interest for the time he re­mains in advance, we, the subscribers, being a quorum of the Secret Committee appointed by the honourable the Continen­tal Congress, and authorized to procure from foreign countries supplies of arms, ammunition, and other articles on the best terms we can, being sensible of your deserving character, and knowing that your attachment to the liberties of your native country entitles you to our confidence, have concluded to authorize and empower you to contract with any person or persons in Europe, for ten thousand stand of good sol­diers’ muskets, well fitted with good double bridle gun-locks, and good bayonets; ten thousand good double bridled gun-locks; two hundred thousand gun-flints; one thousand bar­rels of the best pistol powder; one thousand barrels of the best cannon powder: and for two fast sailing well armed cutters, such as you may think best calculated for a good and