however, our quota for the flying camp was struck at three thousand four hundred, as you will see by the resolve enclosed by the President; but it was not understood that the Militia were to be drafted or compelled to march, and it is left altogether at large how they are to be collected. Some additions to the resolutions on that subject are talked of, but not formally proposed.

We are astonished at the ungenerous and malevolent turn given to the proceedings of our Convention by that of Virginia and hope they will be as unsuccessful in their nefarious attempt to stir up the people of Maryland against their Representatives, as they have hitherto been in their endeavours to render the Councils of that Province suspected. We are extremely sorry to observe this unfriendly disposition in a neighbouring sister Colony, but hope there will be found spirit enough in the Convention of Maryland to resent this most injurious treatment, in the manner it deserves.

The proposition from the Delegates of Virginia, to declare the Colonies independent, was yesterday, after much debate, postponed for three weeks, then to be resumed; and a Committee is appointed to draw up a Declaration, to prevent loss of time, in case the Congress should agree to the proposition at the day fixed for resuming it. This postponement was made to give an opportunity to the Delegates from those Colonies which had not as yet given authority to adopt this decisive measure, to consult their consituents. It will be necessary that the Convention of Maryland should meet as soon as possible, to give the explicit sense of the Province on this point; and we hope you will accordingly exercise your power of convening them at such time as you think the members can be brought together. We wish to have the fair and uninfluenced sense of the people we have the honour to represent, in this most important and interesting affair; and that it would be well if the Delegates to the Convention were desired to endeavour to collect the opinion of the people at large, in some manner or other, previous to the meeting of Convention. We shall attend the Convention whenever it meets, if it is thought proper we should do so. The approaching harvest will, perhaps, render it very inconvenient to many gentlemen to attend the Convention. This, however, must not be regarded, when matters of such momentous concern demand their deliberation. We beg you will inform us, as soon as may be, of the time you fix for the Convention to meet, and we should also be very glad to receive the proceedings of the last session. We see, with the deepest concern, the attempts from various quarters to throw the Province into a state of confusion, division, and disorder; but trust the exertions of those who are the true friends of virtue and the American cause will be adequate to the surrounding difficulties and dangers.

From every account and appearance, the King and his Ministers seem determined to hazard everything upon the success of the sword, without offering any terms to America which she ought to accept. That peace and security, which every virtuous man in the country has so earnestly desired, seems not attainable in th2:31:18 PMe present disposition of the ruling powers of Britain. We wish we had any reason to suppose there was any foundation for what Mr. Smith reports to have been told him by Captain Hammond and Lord Dunmore; but all circumstances strongly oppose the supposition of Commissioners, as messengers of peace. However, we know no more of this matter than you and the publick do, and it is impossible to speak certainly upon this or any other subject, without more full information than we have.

We will send the gun-carriage, instruments, and paper, by Mr. Steward, who informs us he has sundry articles for the Province to be sent from hence. We beg to be informed frequently of the state of the Province, and of your proceedings, and assure you of our readiness to attend to your commands. Our hurry and necessary attendance in Congress, must apologise for this scrawl. The question of postponing the Declaration of Independence was carried by seven Colonies against five.

We are, with great respect, gentlemen, your most obedient servants,

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

COMMITTEE OF LEWISTOWN, DELAWARE, TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read June 13, 1776.]

Lewistown, in Council, June 11, 1776.

SIR: Notwithstanding the great tenderness and lenity shown to the disaffected persons in this country, and the necessity of uniting firmly at this most important crisis, they are assembled about eighteen miles from this, and, from the best information, their numbers are near one thousand men, many of whom have openly avowed their intention of joining or co-operating with the men-of-war lying in the road; and we are certain, unless some timely assistance is sent us, that our situation will be as calamitous as that of Norfolk.

We do, therefore, most earnestly entreat your Honour to send us such immediate assistance as will enable us to take up the principals of this faction, and quell this most dangerous insurrection.

DAVID HALL, President.

To Hon. John Hancock, President of Congress.

HENRY FISHER TO PENNSYLVANIA COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Lewistown, June 10, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: When I wrote to you last, by express, I mentioned that Captain Lawrence had arrived here, and that he was alongside of a snow that was obliged to run ashore. I have made bold to detain him here to cover the landing of her cargo. He has been of real service; and now he is going to convoy her up to your place, with the assistance of the Eagle, from this place.

The Liverpool remains in the road. The Kingfisher is gone out to sea. As to the restriction you have laid upon me not to man the armed boat with pilots, I must beg leave to acquaint you that our pilots bear a different character to what yours do; and as the boat is to be stationed at our creek’s mouth, I cannot see there will be the least danger in letting six pilots go in her, and the remainder landsmen, as the pilots are acquainted with great guns, and they always can see their danger before they can be surprised. I think I can venture to say the pilots here have and are willing to do everything for the safety of your trade that lies in their power. I hope, gentlemen, that you will reconsider the matter, and send me a line; and in the mean time I shall act with the utmost caution, and do everything for your interest that lies in my power.

Colonel Dagworthy and Colonel Jones think that one of your armed boats would be of service to be stationed in Indian River, as that inlet is at this time very good, having ten or twelve feet water into it. Perhaps some of your vessels may be chased in there: in that case, a boat lying there would be of real service.

You must think, gentlemen, that we have no view in this matter but your interest, as we have no trade of our own. If you were to order Captain Lawrence to be stationed here, (as he is willing,) I think he would be of real service. I have given Captain Lawrence a receipt for what stores I have received from him. You will be so kind as to acquaint Messrs. Mifflin and Barrell that there are some charges that I have been at for victualling and manning these boats, extraordinary upon their account, which I expect must be paid out of the cargo; likewise desire them to authorize some person to act for them, as there is a real cause for it.

To the Committee of Safety in Philadelphia.

Lewistown, June 11, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I intended to have sent the former by my express horse, but the Tories having cut off that communication, I am obliged to send this by the whaleboats as far as Newcastle, and from thence by land. I have further to add, that last evening the Kingfisher returned into our road, with a prize brigantine, Captain Walker, of Wilmington; but, luckily for us, before the pirates boarded her, our brave Captain Barry had been on board of her, and taken out some powder and arms. In sight of the Kingfisher, this day, about noon, came into our road and anchored another frigate, but who she is I cannot learn. Mr. Brown, who came down in the flag, gave me the above account of Captain Walker’s brigantine. As we have these ships here now, we have our troubles, and must request that