Resolved, That the said Bennet Armstrong, on publishing his apology in the Gazette, be recommended to the publick as a proper object of clemency.

LATIMER HOLSTEAD, Clerk pro tem.

CALVERT COUNTY (MARYLAND) COMMITTEE.

Calvert County, June 20, 1776.

The Committee met according to adjournment.

Present, eight Members; Mr. B. Mackall, in the Chair. The following Depositions were taken:

David Hunter, of Calvert County, being sworn on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God, deposeth: That some time about last Christmas, a certain William Wallen (now residing in the city of Annapolis) came to this deponent’s house, and said that he had been sitting up the night before at Colonel Fitzhugh’s, in company with Governour Eden, and asked said Hunter why his boat lay idle, when he could receive money for her. This deponent asked him from whom? The said Wallen answered, that he would give him money, if he (the said Hunter) would carry a letter to Lord Dunmore; then offered him (this deponent) three or four half-joes, and told him that if he (the said Hunter) was taken, he would be supplied with books and provisions;, and handsomely rewarded when released.

Sworn to before me, the subscriber, the day and year above.

RICHARD PARRAN.

David Hunter, Jun., of Calvert County, being sworn on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God, deposeth: That he was present when the said Wallen offered his father a sum of money to carry a letter to Lord Dunmore; that said Wallen asked this deponent’s father whether this deponent was a Whig or Tory, and being answered by this deponent that he was neither, the said Wallen asked this deponent what it would be for him to be confined in a Jail, when he would be supplied with history? And that in case he, this deponent, met with any tenders, that he might throw the letter overboard.

Sworn before me, the day and year within-mentioned.

RICHARD PARRAN.

Resolved, That the above Depositions be immediately sent to the Committee of Observation for Anne Arundel County.

A true copy from the Minutes:

BENJAMIN MACKALL, 4th Cleric pro tem.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO DOCTOR JOHNSON.

SIR: We received yours of the 14th, informing us of the discovery of a cliff or bank on the river Patuxent strongly impregnated with common salt, and are in great hopes that on a further inspection it may prove adequate to our utmost wishes; but as experiment only can ascertain the quantity of the earth of that quality, you will greatly oblige us if you would make the proper trials, how far and to what depth it may probably be traced. If its extent should be considerable, it will be a discovery of the greatest importance to the publick; and we therefore wish you would immediately communicate to us the success of your inquiry, and we will most cheerfully reimburse you all expenses you may be at in making the experiment.

We are pleased with the progress you advise us you are making in the manufactory of saltpetre, and are in hopes that, by a skilful management and proper attention of the several managers in this Province, the demands for that useful article may be sufficiently supplied in a short time. We wish you full success; and are yours, &c.

To Dr. Edward Johnson, Calvert County.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO CAPTAIN VANBIBBER.

SIR: You have enclosed an invoice and bill of lading for two hundred and forty barrels of flour, forty barrels of bread, and two hundred and fifty kegs of bread, in the schooner Three Sisters, Captain Joseph Handy, master, which we hope will reach you safe. You will dispose of the cargo to the best advantage, for the benefit of the Province, according to your general instructions and the letters heretofore sent you, and be pleased to make our returns by the same vessel, in small-arms, to which you may add a few field-pieces, if to be had cheap. If these cannot be got, you are to send us powder and blankets. We designed to send you also two other vessels—the brigs Fortune and Rogers —but these vessels have been long detained by the men-of-war and tenders; the brig Fortune had sailed, but was obliged to put back again. We apprehend that we shall be obliged to unload these vessels, and send their cargoes to you in smaller vessels.

We have received your letters of the 9th and 22d March, and have also paid your bill, dated 24th March, to Captain John Stout, for eight hundred dollars; and also your draft to Captain Copper on W. Lux, for ninety pounds currency: and have got in safe the goods you sent us by the Wicked Dick, Captain Tibbet, also by the pilot-boat Chatham, and some powder, we hear, is arrived in North-Carolina, not got to hand. We would caution you against sending any more that way as yet; the coast there is too dangerous at present—full of men-of-war and tenders. We shall be glad to hear from you by every good opportunity; and are, &c. To Captain Abraham Vanbibber.

P. S. The brig Nancy, Captain Wise, addressed to you, has been unfortunately taken by a tender in Annamosseck-Road, in a fog which prevented the Captain from seeing her approach until she was so near that he could not avoid the misfortune.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO CAPTAIN HANDY.

SIR: You are to proceed from hence with all possible despatch to the Island of St. Eustatia, with the letter directed to Mr. Abraham Vanbibber, who will give you directions what you are to do with your cargo; his advice you are to follow in every particular. Should you have any goods put on board by Captain Vanbibber to bring back, as soon as you have done your business make the best of your way home, and avoid speaking with vessels on the coast or elsewhere. When you come into the latitude of our Cape, if you have a strong fair wind in, and no danger of men-of-war or tenders, push up the Bay as far as possible; if you find a better chance of getting safe into any of the inlets between Cape Henlopen and Cape Charles than into our Bay, you may push into one of them, and send an express to the Council of Safety, letting them know where you are, and what you have got; take care to land your goods as soon as you can, under the direction of a Committee, for fear of being followed by tenders, or other armed vessels. In going out you are to take a brisk gale of wind, or get out in the night. Hope you will conduct yourself with care and industry in the voyage. If you are chased, and find you must be taken, throw all your papers overboard, with weights to sink them. Should Mr. Vanbibber not be at St. Eustatia, or in that neighbourhood, you are to apply to Mr. Richard Harrison, at Martinique, and deliver your letter for Vanbibber to him, and follow his directions. We are, &c. To Captain Joseph Handy.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO CUMBERLAND DUGAN.

[No. 31.]

Annapolis, June 20, 1776.

SIR: Enclosed you have an order for one hundred barrels of flour, now in possession of Messrs. Lux & Bowley, which we have already paid them for, and was to have gone by the pilot-boat Chatham; you will be pleased to fill up the vessel with some of the superfine flour, most likely to keep and answer the market; and where flour cannot be stowed away, then kegs of bread; and if there be not flour sufficient that is good and likely to keep, then put on board bread to make up the cargo. No time is to be lost, that this vessel may be got away with all imaginable speed.

We are, &c.

To Mr. Cumberland Dugan.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO LUX AND BOWLEY.

GENTLEMEN: Please to deliver to Captain Joseph Handy the quantity of one hundred barrels of flour, which we have