FREDERICK COUNTY (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE.

Present: Jonathan Wilson, Esq., (in the Chair,) Edward Burgess, Robert Owen, Thomas Cramphin, Jun., Charles G. Griffith, Zadock Magruder, Samuel W. Magruder, Gerard Briscoe, Archibald Orme, Allen Bowie, Thomas S. Wootton.

Resolved, unanimously, That our sole and primary intention in appointing Delegates to meet in Convention was, to regulate the mode of opposition necessary to be made by us internally against the arbitrary machinations of the British Ministry, and to appoint Delegates to meet our sister Colonies in Congress, to recommend such measures as, by a sense of the majority of the Colonies, would best secure the natural and inherent rights of the people generally.

Resolved, unanimously, That all just and legal Government was instituted for the ease and convenience of the People, and that the People have the indubitable right to reform or abolish a Government which may appear to them insufficient for the exigency of their affairs.

Resolved, unanimously, That what may be recommended by a majority of the Congress, equally delegated by the people of the United Colonies, we will, at the hazard of our lives and fortunes, support and maintain; and that every resolution of Convention tending to separate this Province from a majority of the Colonies, without the consent of the people, is destructive to our internal safety, and big with publick ruin.

Resolved, unanimously, That as a knowledge of the conduct of the Representative is the constituent’s only principle and permanent security, we claim the right of being fully informed therein, unless in the secret operations of war; and that we shall ever hold the Representative amenable to that body from whom he derives his authority.

Resolved, unanimously, That the Legislative, Judicative, Executive, and Military powers, ought to be separate, and that in all countries where the power to make laws and the power to enforce such laws is vested in one man, or in one body of men, a tyranny is established.

Resolved, unanimously, That these Resolutions be immediately printed in the Maryland Gazette.

Signed per order:

SIMON NICHOLLS, Cleric.

BALTIMORE COMMITTEE TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

In Committee, Baltimore, June 17, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Information having been given to this Committee by Mr. Lux, that you had application by letter from Dr. Stevenson that two casks of gunpowder were taken from him, for which he never had been paid, this Committee desire that you will please to transmit them a copy of said letter that they may have an opportunity of answering the charge. They have further to inform you that an application has been made by Dr. Stevenson for a barrel of gunpowder, which he imported from Philadelphia, and was received into the publick store; but as he has neither signed the Association nor enrolment, he stands in the light of an enemy to America, and therefore it would be dangerous to trust so much powder in his hands; they therefore desire your orders therein.

We are, gentlemen, your most humble servants,

SAMUEL PURVIANCE, Jun., Chairman.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO CAPTAIN VANBIBBER.

SIR: By the resolves of the Convention, one thousand pounds were appropriated for the building of one or more Powder-Mills. Five hundred pounds have been already drawn by a gentleman in Charles County, named Hanson, upon his giving bond with security to erect a Powder-Mill; there remain five hundred pounds unappropriated, which you may have an order for on complying with the terms prescribed by the Convention. We are, &tc.

To Captain Isaac Vanbibber, Baltimore-tovm.

P. S. If any change be necessary about repairing the vessels, application must be made to the Convention; we cannot give license to the owners themselves to repair, or oblige them so to do.

NEW-YORK DELEGATES TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Philadelphia, June 17, 1776.

SIR: We. were honoured by your favours of the 1lth inst. A resolution of Congress has passed agreeable to your intention, restraining the exportation of salt beef and pork from any of these Colonies, under the limitations mentioned in your resolve.

We received great pleasure from knowing the sentiments of the honourable the Convention relative to the important subject on which we thought it our duty to ask their opinion. We are very happy in having it in our power to assure them that we have hitherto taken no steps inconsistent with their intention, as expressed in their letter, by which we shall be careful to regulate our future conduct.

We remain, sir, with the greatest respect, your and the Convention’s most obedient and humble servants,

To the Honourable Nathaniel Woodhull, President of the Provincial Congress, New-York.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Philadelphia, June 17, 1776.

SIR: I wrote you by express yesterday, and enclosed you all the resolutions of Congress to that time; since which nothing has occurred. This will be handed to you by Captain Bradford, who has in charge the money destined for the Army in Canada —three boxes containing twenty-one thousand seven hundred and twenty-five and a half silver dollars, and three boxes containing one hundred and eighty-seven thousand paper dollars. I am to request you will please to discharge the Philadelphia guard, and order a fresh guard to proceed with the money to General Schuyler, or the Paymaster, Mr. Trumbull, in such manner as you shall judge best, and either in the same wagon or another, as you shall direct. Please to forward by the officer of the guard the enclosed letter.

I have the honour to be, sir, your very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To General Washington.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL SCHUYLER.

Philadelphia, June 17, 1776.

SIR: Enclosed you have invoice of three boxes of silver dollars, containing 21, 725½ dollars; also, invoice of three boxes, containing 187, 000 paper dollars, which I wish safe to hand, for the use of the Army in Canada; more hard money will soon follow, and in a few days shall send on some more paper money. I wish soon to hear a more favourable account of our affairs in Canada.

In a few days I shall write you, and enclose you the resolutions of Congress, which are almost perfected, and when executed I think will much promote the general good. You shall have them as early as possible after they are complete.

I am, in great haste, sir, your very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To General Schuyler. In his absence, to Mr. Trumbull, Deputy Paymaster-General, or to Commander-in-Chief in Canada.

PENNSYLVANIA COMMITTEE OF SAFETY TO PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

[Read June 18, 1776.]

Philadelphia, June 17, 1776.

SIR: An application has been made to this Board by a number of persons, prisoners on board the Liverpool, to negotiate their exchange for the seamen who belonged to the

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