Straits, by which I am informed that the ship of war is now in the mouth of Nanticoke, two of the tenders in Hungar River, and one in Fishing Bay, close to the shore; that the people are in great confusion, and much harassed by them. I have not the least doubt but they are in the like or a worse situation in Somerset County. I think it my duty to give you this information as early as possible, and doubt not you will give such assistance as the emergency of our affairs require.

I have the honour to be, gentlemen, your most obedient and humble servant,

THOMAS ENNALLS.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety.

BENNETT BRACCO TO GABRIEL DUVALL.

Port-Tobacco, July 2, 1776,

DEAR SIR: I have sent the bearer, John Harriett, express to Annapolis, to request that you will make application to the Council for a sum of money to defray the expenses of providing food and other necessaries that are requisite for the soldiers under inoculation here. The Doctors tell me that it will not be proper for the soldiers to eat the rations provided for them by the Commissary, for three weeks at least, in which time their expenses will amount to near one hundred and fifty pounds, or thereabouts; be that as it may, a true and just account shall be rendered of the expenditure of the money in case the Council think proper to advance it; pray do this as quickly as possible. I have expended almost all my own cash; and when that is gone, we may whistle for provision until we can get a fresh supply. The people here follow a very good rule, not to trust us farther than they can see us. Please apply also for our subsistence from the 15th of March last, and let me know whether it will be granted, agreeable to account rendered by Capain Beall some time ago; if it should, you will send it by the bearer, as I promise you I want it much.

I would have written to the Council, but did not know whether it would be agreeable to them to receive it from among the small-pox. Be kind enough to despatch Wirt down immediately; let no excuse stop him. I hear that he wants to stay; you may tell him he is to return again. Please write me, and enclose a list of the officers of the flying camp. I have nothing new to write; but am, dear sir, your most obedient, humble servant,

BENNETT BRACCO.

To Mr. Ridgely, or Mr. G. Duvall, at Annapolis.

P. S. We are all getting through the small-pox as well as can be expected.

JOHN MARTIN TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

GENTLEMEN: This will inform you of my safe arrival with the brig Friendship into Chingoteague on Tuesday, July 2d, which Mr. Richards has taken on your account. I likewise enclose you a manifest of the cargo I have on board,* best part of which I have got on shore, under the protection of Colonel F. Lemmon. Be so kind as to let me know as soon as possible what measures must be taken with the brig and crew, they being all in debt to the vessel, some three pounds, some more and some less. I have not time to write you a full detail, for there are three tenders cruising off this harbour, which puts me in confusion till I get my cargo landed. If the brig should fit out again, should I be appointed to go in her, I hope you will grant me leave to go as far as Baltimore, to see my little family and settle with my last owner.

I have on board eight officers and twenty-three hands; three four-pounders, six three-pounders, six swivels, and one cohorn. Be so kind as to let me have what quantity of powder and lead I shall keep on board for the vessel’s use, for the tenders are dangerous.

If the brig is fitted out again, she must have a new windlass, and new fore and maintops, and a new mainmast. The steerage is cut off; and if I carry this number of hands she will not carry as much by two hundred barrels as last voyage.

Gentlemen, your humble servant,

JOHN MARTIN.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

N. B. I lost the opportunity by Mr. Lux, not knowing he would go that day, and confusion with the tenders. I was fired at near the harbour by one the morning I got in.

J. M.

ELBRIDGE GERRY TO JAMES WARREN.

Philadelphia, July 2, 1776.

DEAR SIR: I have only time to inform you that yesterday was agitated in Congress the great question of Independency; and as the facts are as well known at the Coffee-House of the city as in Congress, I may go on to inform you that, in a Committee of the whole House, it was carried by nine Colonies.

I remain, sir, with due regard, your assured friend and humble servant,

ELBRIDGE GERRY.

To Colonel Warren.

HENRY WISNER TO NEW-YORK CONGRESS.

Philadelphia, July 2, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Since writing the enclosed, the question of Independence has been put in Congress, and carried in (he affirmative, without one dissenting vote. I therefore beg your answer as quick as possible to the enclosed.

I am, with due regard, your humble servant,

HENRY WISNER.

To the Provincial Congress, at New-York.

Philadelphia, July 2, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: The important question of Independency was agitated yesterday in a Committee of the whole Congress, and this day will be finally determined in the House. We know the line of our conduct on this occasion: we have your instructions, and will faithfully pursue them. New doubts and difficulties, however, will arise should Independency be declared, and that it will not, we have not the least reason to expect; nor do we believe that (if any) more than one Colony (and the Delegates of that divided) will vote against the question, every Colony (ours only excepted) having withdrawn their former instructions, and either positively instructed their Delegates to vote for Independency, or concur in such vote, if they shall judge it expedient. What part are we to act after this event takes place? Every act we join in may then be considered as in some measure ac-ceding to the vote of Independency, and binding our Colony on that score. Indeed many matters in this new situation may turn up in which the propriety of our voting may be very doubtful; though we conceive (considering the critical situation of publick affairs, and as they respect our Colony in particular, invaded or soon likely to be by powerful armies in different quarters) it is our duty, nay, it is absolutely necessary, that we should not only concur with, but exert ourselves in forwarding our military operations. The immediate safety of the Colony calls for and will warrant us in this. Our situation is singular and delicate, no other Colony being similarly circumstanced, with whom we can consult. We wish, therefore, for your earliest advice and instructions, whether we are to consider our Colony bound by the vote of the majority in favour of Independency, and vote at large on such questions as may arise in consequence thereof; or only concur in such measures as may be absolutely necessary for the common safety and defence of America, exclusive of the idea of Independency. We fear it will be difficult to draw the line; but, once possessed of your instructions, we will do our best endeavours to follow them.

We are, with the greatest respect, your most obedient servants,

*Manifest of Sundries received on board the Brig FRIENDSHIP, Captain JOHN MARTIN.—7 chests, marked R. F., No. 1 to 7; 1 bale, marked R. F., No. 8; 23 bales of Canvass; 225 barrels of Powder; 228 half-barrels of Powder; 2 large chests; 1 crate; 3 barrels; 2 sheets of Lead; 17 chests of Arms; 2 cases, marked E. R.; 1 cask, marked W.; 1 bale, marked J. R.; 1 chest, marked H. C; 1 bale, marked H. C; 11 bolts of loose Canvass; 1 small box, marked H. Y.

To the Honourable the Provincial Congress of New-York.