MESHECH WEARE TO GENERAL WARD.

Exeter, June 29, 1776.

SIR: I am directed to make application to you, and set forth the distressing situation of this Colony for want of gunpowder. The western frontiers (extending one hundred and fifty miles on Connecticut River) are destitute thereof, and being greatly alarmed at the present accounts from Canada, have sent express after express, who are now waiting therefor. Last summer, to assist the Continental Army in their necessity for that article, we sent them fifty-two barrels, which left us but sixteen barrels. Three vessels, sent by the Colony to the foreign Islands, brought back but fifty-two barrels, part of which stock has been delivered our soldiers gone to Canada, and is considerably lessened. The time necessary to obtain an order from General Washington to deliver us the powder lent may decide the fate of our frontiers, and leave open the town settlements of your and our Colonies to the devastations of Canadians and savages. Therefore we entreat you (in this time of imminent danger) so far to dispense with the common method or rule in such cases as to order the delivery of fifty-two barrels of gunpowder to the bearer, Mr. Champney, to be forwarded by him to us, and we will, without delay, send to General Washington for his order to you for that purpose, which we are sensible will greatly recover the almost despairing spirits of our brethren in the frontiers, and be esteemed a favour to the common cause, and this Colony in particular.

By order of the Council and Assembly:

I am, &c.,

MESHECH WEARE.

SELECTMEN OF WALPOLE TO NEW-HAMPSHIRE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY.

Walpole, June 29, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: The alarming news from our northern Army (which will doubtless reach you before this) excites in us ideas big with concern, when we consider the defenceless state of this part of the Colony. We behold our wives and our more helpless offspring as an easy prey (shocking thought!) to savages, whose tender mercies are cruelty, and this the rather because we have not the necessary means of defence. We of this town have endeavoured, in the course of the last year, to procure a stock of ammunition against the critical moment, besides what the law had ordered for individuals, neither of which could be purchased. We apprehend there is not, in this town, one round of powder and ball to a man; besides, we are deficient in regard of arms. Last year the Selectmen, upon a recommendation from the honourable Congress for this Colony, furnished the soldiers with arms, which were detained in the service; that we are under worse circumstances than when the war began; our guns are gone and we have nothing paid us to purchase more, if they could be procured. Not knowing where to purchase these necessary articles, we apply to you, as the guardians of this Colony, entreating of you, by all that is near and dear, to inform the bearer, Mr. Amos Babcock, where and by what means he can be furnished with a sufficiency of arms and ammunition, at least for this town.

We are, gentlemen, in behalf of the town of Walpole, your very humble servants,

To the Honourable Committee of Safety for New-Hampshire Colony.

P. S. We expect other towns will send for military stores by Mr. Babcock.

CAPTAIN SMITH TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Baltimore, June 30, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I wrote you the 18th instant, by Mr. Powell, requesting you would appoint him my Third Lieutenant, but understand that he is to have a higher station in the troop now to be raised, at which I am very well pleased, as I think him a very deserving young man. I now beg leave to recommend the bearer, Mr. Robert Porteus, as a young man the most fit to fill the station of any one I know, and assure you I shall esteem it as a particular favour if you will appoint him my Third Lieutenant. I must still beg that you would allow Mr. Samuel Chesters, one of my Sergeants, who is appointed Adjutant to Colonel Buchanan’s Battalion, to act still as Sergeant of my company.

I am, gentlemen, your most obliged, humble servant,

NATHANIEL SMITH.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

AMOS GARRETT TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

List of the Companies on the north side of Deer Creek, in Harford County, formed and returned to this Committee, viz:

William Webb Captain, Ignatius Wheeler First Lieutenant, William Fisher Second Lieutenant, Samuel Webb, Jun., Ensign, and seventy-four privates. Date of enrolment, 14th day of October, 1775.

John Patrick Captain, Winston Dallam First Lieutenant, Samuel Barley Second Lieutenant, Richard Ward Ensign, and fifty-five privates. Date of enrolment the 1st day of April, 1776.

John Jolley Captain, John Montgomery First Lieutenant, James Wilson Second Lieutenant, James Thomas Ensign, and fifty-seven privates. Date of enrolment the 10th day of March, 1776,

SIRS: The foregoing companies are the only ones formed since the last returns. We expect a company or two more will be formed, which, with one or two more already enrolled, but not yet formed in battalion, will make six independent companies, situated so as they may be formed in battalion, which we will report as soon as they are all enrolled.

I am, gentlemen, your most humble servant,

AMOS GARRETT, Chairman of the Com.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

Memorandum of Militia Officers who have not their commissions.

Samuel Calwell Captain, Thomas Hutchins First Lieutenant, Joseph Lewis Second Lieutenant.

James McComas Captain, Benjamin Scott First Lieutenant, Martin Preston Second Lieutenant, James Steel Ensign.

Robert Harris Captain, William Coale First Lieutenant, William Downs Second Lieutenant, Joseph Renshaw Ensign.

Bennet Bussey Captain, Joshua Miles First Lieutenant, Azeal Hitchcock, Jun., Second Lieutenant, Joshua Amos of James, Ensign.

Alexander Cowen Captain, John Beale Howard First Lieutenant, Samuel Groome Osborne Second Lieutenant, Lambert Wilmer, Ensign.

In Captain William McComas’s Company James Sinclair is appointed Second Lieutenant.

WILLIAM ADAMS TO MARYLAND CONVENTION.

Windsor, June 30, 1776.

SIR: I wrote two letters to the honourable Convention, acquainting them that I had received a bad fall from a horse, which had bruised and sprained my shoulder so much that I have not been able to ride these three weeks, and still continue so painful that I can scarce rest of nights, and if I were able I do not think it would be prudent to leave home at this time of immediate danger, when all the country is in such confusion, and expects to be plundered by a large number of tenders now in our Sound, piloted and conducted, as we believe, by our own people, who are gone to them in great numbers, and from whom worse treatment is expected than from the tender-men—as one Wallace, in Dan Quarter, has revenged himself on Mr. William Roberts, by plundering him, and then carrying him off on board the tenders, tied hand and foot, as I hear from authority; and this morning I hear they are landing on Nanticoke Point, and that they have burnt Mr. Samuel McChestor’s house.

I hope, under these circumstances, the honourable Convention will excuse me.

I am, sir, your very humble servant,

WILLIAM ADAMS.

To the Hon. President of Convention of Maryland.