of service in alarming the country, &c.; but still we told him we were willing it should be carried where your Honours should think it would answer the best end, in case he would give a receipt, and promise the value thereof equal to what hath been given for other cannon bought for the use of the Colony; on which the Colonel told us he was in no capacity to receive it on that condition, and so left it. One Saturday, the 29th June last, Colonel Evans sent again for said cannon, and likewise sent the above order; but as the same difficulty subsisted that there was at first, (there being no person to give a receipt or rather security,) the cannon was not delivered. The Selectmen acquainted the Committee of Safety for said town with their proceedings relative to the cannon; they justified our proceedings, yet thought the cannon ought to be carried where it would answer the best end, but yet thought our request for the value thereof not unreasonable.

We would herewith testify our readiness to obey all such orders as we shall receive from the honourable House from time to time, as also our willingness, with our lives and fortunes, to bear our proportionable part in defending and securing to us the rights and liberties and privileges we are now contending for, &c.

We are, sir, yours and the honourable House’s most obedient and humble servants,

To the Hon. Meshech Weare, Esq., President of the General Assembly now sitting.

TRANSLATION OF AN EDICT, PUBLISHED AT LISBON, BY ORDER OF THE KING OF PORTUGAL.

EDITAL.

Being lately informed that the Colonies of English America, by an act published by the Congress held on the 15th of May last, do not only declare themselves entirely separated from the subjection of the Crown of Great Britain, but are already making laws by their own particular authority to resist the lawful authority of his Britannick Majesty, my good brother, friend, and ally:

And as such a pernicious example must be interesting to Princes the most indifferent, so as to deny all favour and assistance, directly or indirectly, to subjects who, in so publick and formal a manner, have risen against their natural Sovereign, I am pleased to order, that in none of the Ports of these Kingdoms and Dominions there be given pratique or entry to any ship which shall arrive there with or without a cargo, coming from the Ports of the above-mentioned English North-America; but that, on the contrary, they be driven from the said Ports in the same state in which they shall arrive, without any succour of any nature whatever being given to them. The masters of ships to whom an entry may till now have been permitted, in consideration that there was no motive for hindering them, shall have notice to go but of the said Ports with their ships within the term of eight days, without further prolongation; an examination being made before they go out, whether they have on board any Gunpowder or such Ammunition as I have already prohibited by my Royal orders, given on the 21st of October of the last year, at the Arsenal and the Consulado; and confiscating for the benefit of the publick works all such ships in which there may be found such prohibited Ammunition clandestinely and privately put on board as effects deemed by such a discovery to belong to Rebels. The Conselho da Fazenda is to understand it so, and is to order this Edital to be printed and fixed up in all the publick places of the City of Lisbon, and the Ports of this Kingdom and of Algarve, that it may come to the knowledge of all, and no one may allege ignorance of it.

Palace of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda, 4th July, 1776. With the Royal Signature.

COLONEL SMALLWOOD TO THOMAS JOHNSON.

Annapolis, July 4, 1776.

SIR: There is in this battalion a man who was inlisted by Captain Fulford as a Sergeant, who (upon the company’s marching here to station) I found had been a Drum-Major in the British service, and understood the duty extremely well. Appearing much attached to our cause, I persuaded him to quit his Sergeantcy, and to act as Drum-Major in this corps; in which character he has acted about two months, during which time he has discharged his duty in an extraordinary manner, having improved our drummers and fifers very much, and has taught one for the First Independent Company, and may be very useful in forming many others for the service. His duty in this department engages him entirely, and hitherto has been, and probably for some time will continue to be, much more fatiguing than most in the battalion, for which he has only received common drummer’s pay, which certainly is much too low for this duty.

I must, therefore, through you, beg leave to recommend him to the honourable Convention, as a person who merits encouragement, hoping his pay will be made adequate to his services.

There is also a Corporal of the Artillery inlisted by the Council of Safety, who understands that duty very well, is very useful, and deserves encouragement.

I am, with much respect, &c., your obedient, humble servant,

W. SMALLWOOD.

To Thomas Johnson, Esq.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO JAMES TILGHMAN.

SIR: Your presence is much wanted, there being but three Members in town, and several commissions to sign, and other business before us.

We are, &c.

To James Tilghman, Esq.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO DORCHESTER COUNTY COMMITTEE OF OBSERVATION.

GENTLEMEN: We have sent by a boat belonging to Mr. William Acres, of Talbot County, opposite to Cambridge, two hundred and fifty weight lead, for your County. The skipper has engaged to deliver it at Cambridge to you. We shall send some more over by General Chamberlaine, to be lodged at Talbot Court-House, for the use of your Shore. In case you should be in want hereafter be pleased to apply to him.

We are, &c.

To the Committee of Observation for Dorchester County.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO MESSRS. DANIEL AND SAMUEL HUGHES.

GENTLEMEN: The Convention have directed the Council of Safety to fortify Annapolis immediately. This cannot be done without you comply with your contract with the Province, or as much thereof as you possibly can; you will, therefore, be pleased to send as many of the eighteen and nine-pounders to Baltimore as may be in your power.

We are, &c.

To Messrs. Daniel and Samuel Hughes.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO THOMAS SMYTH, THOMAS B. HANDS, AND JOSEPH NICHOLSON, JUN.

GENTLEMEN: The Convention have appointed you Members of the Council of Safety, and we beg your attendance immediately.

Messrs. Vanbibber and Harrison have bought us a brig, and shipped us a valuable cargo, as you will perceive by the enclosed copy of the invoice. You will be pleased to despatch wagons immediately from Kent or elsewhere, as to be had, sufficient to convey this cargo to Chestertown, and also to provide provision for the guard to Chingoteague and back, which is to consist of a commissioned officer and twenty-four privates out of Captain Veazey’s company.

We are, &c.

To Messrs. Smyth, Hands, and Nicholson.