Little River, June 6, 1776.

DEAR SIR: On the receipt of this, you must order as large a body of the regulars as can possibly be spared to march to Cross-Creek, in North-Carolina. You may either do it by regiments or detachments. It is now, I think, certain that South-Carolinaand Georgiaare their object. Lay the enclosed letters before the Convention. Send copies of them to the Convention of Maryland;perhaps that Province can spare a battalion or two for the defence of Virginia,which may be replaced from Pennsylvania.

I am, dear General, yours,

CHARLES LEE

To Brigadier-General Lewis.

P. S. The letter for the Congress should be despatched immediately. If any cavalry are raised, detach them.

Wilmington, June 1, 1776.

SIR: The whole enemy’s fleet have sailed from Cape-Fear, the first division on Wednesday,the last yesterday; but it is far from being ascertained whether they have steered their course to the northward or to the southward. The people here are all of opinion that Charlestownis their object; for my own part I do not see on what they ground this persuasion; however, as South-Carolinais weaker in numbers than Virginia,I have ordered Muhlenburg’sregiment at a venture to Charlestownimmediately, as also a detachment of seven hundred men from this place. I have also been under the necessity of stripping this Province of sixteen hundred pounds of gunpowder, which I must replace from Virginia.As this Colony is now apparently no longer in danger, I shall send an express to stop your Militia, as they may be wanted more in their own Province, and will now be an unnecessary expense. I shall myself set out for Charlestownto-morrow, but at the same time confess I know not whether I shall go to or from the enemy; but if that capital is really their object, their whole force will be collected in one point; their operations will be more regular, and, consequently, my presence as Commander-in-Chief of the district more requisite; whereas if Virginiais their object, it is possible and probable their operations may be merely predatory and piratical. If such are their intentions, I am confident that your own officers will have little or no occasion for the advice or assistance, such as they are, of, sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

CHARLES LEE.

To Edmund Pendleton, Esq., President of the Convention of Virginia.

P. S. As I have not much time, and indeed there being no absolute necessity of troubling the Congress with any circumstances further than expressed in this letter, I must entreat, sir, that you will send a copy of it to the Congress.

VIRGINIA COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

In Committee of Safety, Williamsburgh, June 6, 1776.

It being represented to this Board that the Commanding Officers of the Militia in many Counties in this Colony have omitted to arrange the same into certain divisions, pursuant to an Ordinance of the last Convention, from a misconstruction of the Ordinance:

Resolved, therefore, That it be recommended to them to proceed, without delay, to make such regulation, according to the direction of the said Ordinance.

By order of the Committee:

EDMUND PENDLETON, President.

JOHN PENDLETON, Clerk.

HANOVER COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE.

In Committee, for Hanover County, June 6, 1776.

The Resolves of the honourable the Convention, in regard to such persons as are inimical or disaffected to the liberties of America being read, it was ordered that the Clerk should summon Samuel Pearson, Joseph Reynolds, David Cochran, John Cunningham, James Martin, Bennett White, Colin Campbell, Alexander and Patrick Macauley, Richard Dennistoun, Richard Burnley, William Marshall, Francis Irwin, John Mcriwether, Thomas Evans, and Benjamin Sanders, (who, it was suggested, came within the meaning of the said Resolves,) to appear before the Committee, on the 13th of the said month; and, at a meeting of the said Committee at Hanover Town, on the day last mentioned, they severally appeared, and being charged with being inimical or disaffected to the liberties of America, denied the charge. Whereupon sundry witnesses being sworn and examined, and all circumstances relating thereto fully inquired into and maturely considered, the Committee came to the following Resolutions:

Resolved, That Joseph Reynolds, so far from being inimical or disaffected to the liberties of America, hath generally conducted himself as a friend to the American cause.

Resolved, therefore, That he be from the charge aforesaid honourably acquitted.

Resolved, That it does not appear to this Committee that Samuel Pearson, David Cochran, John Cunningham, James Martin, Bennett White, Colin Campbell, Patrick Macauley, William Marshall, Francis Irwin, and John Meriwether, are inimical or disaffected to the liberties of America.

Resolved, therefore, That they be from the charge afore-said honourably acquitted.

Resolved, That it appears to this Committee that there is ground to suspect the fidelity and attachment of Richard Burnley and Benjamin Sanders to the American interest.

Whereupon, the oath required by the Convention to be taken by such was tendered to them, which they severally took and subscribed.

Resolved, therefore, That they ought to be restored to the friendship of their fellow-citizens.

Resolved, That it appears to this Committee that Alexander Macauley, Richard Dennistoun, and Thomas Evans, are inimical or disaffected to the liberties of America.

The oath aforesaid was therefore tendered to them, which they refused to take and subscribe.

Resolved, That their arms and ammunition ought to be taken from them, and that they deliver the same accordingly to Colonel Samuel Meredith, to be appraised, used, and applied as is directed by the Convention.

Ordered, That the Clerk furnish such of the persons above named as apply, with extracts from these proceedings, and that he send a copy to the Publick Printer, desiring him to publish the same in the Virginia Gazette.

HARRY TOMPKINS, Clerk.

LOUDOUN COUNTY (VIRGINIA) COMMITTEE.

In Committee, May 14, 1776.

Richard Morlan being summoned to appear before this Committee, for speaking words inimical to the liberties of America, and tending to discourage a Minute-man from returning to his duty; and also publickly declaring he would not muster, and if fined would oppose the collection of the fine with his gun: The charge being proved against him, and he heard in his defence, the Committee think proper to hold the said Morlan up to the publick as an enemy to their rights and liberties; and have ordered that this resolution be published in the Virginia Gazette.

CHRISTOPHER GREENUP, Clerk.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO THE COMMITTEE FOR MIDDLE DISTRICT, FREDERICK COUNTY.

GENTLEMEN: We request you would send two barrels of musket gunpowder, with all convenient speed, to the Committee of Observation for Skington district, there to be lodged for their defence, in case of invasion. We will replace them by return of the first wagons from below; and are, &c.

To the Committee of Observation for Middle District of Frederick County.

U. SCOTT TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Annapolis, June 6, 1776.

SIR: Having some business of much consequence to my private concerns to transact in England, which requires my attendance there, I propose, with the approbation of the Council of Safety, undertaking a voyage thither, by the first convenient opportunity that offers—intending to return again to my family in Maryland as speedily as my affairs will permit; and shall think myself much obliged to the Council of Safety, if, on this application, they will grant