P. S. The Convention have this moment determined that the battalion and three Independent Companies immediately march to the Jerseys, armed; you will, therefore, not lose one moment’s time, but send the wagons instantly down to Virginia. We shall be totally without arms till these arrive. If Veazey’s Independent Company is to march immediately, you are desired to send a Captain and thirty picked men of the Militia to guard the wagons.

MARYLAND COUNCIL. OF SAFETY TO COLONEL JAMES KENT.

SIR: Captain Nicholson being appointed to the command of one of the Continental frigates, renders it necessary that some gentleman should be commissioned to fill the department he acted in on board the ship Defence. The subalterns, though otherwise very clever, want experience; and as we have been advised by Captain Nicholson you had sailed in a vessel of force, and probably would accept the command of our ship, and as we were well satisfied of your zeal, activity, and prudence, we moved and obtained liberty from the Convention to propose it to you to take the command of the Defence. You will please to favour us with your answer immediately, and signify to us whether you will accept it. We wish you to receive the commission, and leave it to yourself to determine if it will not be better to accept the command, which probably will have continuance, than of the battalion, which will be disbanded the 1st of December.

We are, &c.

To Colonel James Kent.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO CAPTAIN REZIN BE ALL.

SIR: As Captain Thomas is directed by the honourable Convention to march immediately with his company to the northward, and as it is proper his men should be as completely armed as possible, we have ordered that you furnish him with such of the guns, with bayonets, belonging to your company, as may be sufficient for that purpose. He will leave with you such of his guns as have not bayonets. We desire to have a particular state of the arms of your company after Captain Thomas may have delivered you this, that we may immediately order you a proper supply from hence, to make up the deficiency if there should be any wanting.

We are, &c.

To Captain Rezin Beall.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO MESSRS. VANBIBBER AND HARRISON.

SIRS: Enclosed you have bill of lading and invoice of sundries, shipped on account of this Province, in the John, Captain. . . . ., amounting to £. . . ., which you will dispose of to the best advantage.

Captain Martin is arrived with the needful, and your orders in his favour shall be paid at sight. The brig is immediately to return to you. The articles we most want, you have a list of enclosed.

Your letters of May 21st, Mr. B. H., 15th June, we have not time to answer, particularly at this time, being much hurried by military preparations, and shall say that we are well pleased with everything you have done, and shall give you every support in our power.

We are, &c.

To Messrs. Vanbibber andHarrison.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO THE COMMITTEE OF OBSERVATION FOR WORCESTER COUNTY.

GENTLEMEN: We have ordered a Captain and thirty privates of the Militia of Kent County to guard the gunpowder, &c, belonging to this Province, from Chingoteague, in Accomack County, in Virginia, to Chestertown; but as we cannot, with any certainty, from the unhappy and disturbed state of your County and Somerset, determine with any certainty whether it may be a sufficient guard, we request, if you think it will not, that as many of your Militia as you shall determine proper, may march through Somerset and the head of Dorset with the wagons, for the further security of your powder; and we cannot doubt of the readiness of your men to engage in this service; and are fully persuaded a requisition, without an order from our Board, will be sufficient to induce a compliance.

We are, &c.

To the Committee of Observation for Worcester County.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Philadelphia, July 4, 1776.

SIR: The enclosed resolves, to which I must beg leave to refer your attention, will inform you of the steps Congress have taken to establish the flying-camp. To the unhappy confusions that have prevailed in this Colony must principally be ascribed the delays that have hitherto attended that salutary measure. However, I flatter myself things will now take a different turn, as the contest to keep possession of power is now at an end, and a new mode of government, equal to the exigencies of our affairs, will soon be adopted, agreeably to the recommendation of Congress to the United Colonies.

I am directed to request you will appoint a proper officer for the command of the flying-camp, and persons to supply them with rations.

I have written to the several Committees, and have pressed them to send forward their troops with the utmost despatch.

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

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To His Excellency General Washington, New-York.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO MARYLAND CONVENTION.

Philadelphia, July 4, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: The Congress have this day received intelligence which renders it absolutely necessary that the greatest exertions should be made to save our country from being desolated by the hand of tyranny. General Howe having taken possession of Staten-Island, and the Jerseys being drained of their Militia for the defence of New-York, I am directed by Congress to request you will proceed immediately to im-body your Militia for the establishment of the flying-camp, and march them with all possible expedition, either by battalions, detachments of battalions, or by companies, to the City of Philadelphia.

The present campaign, I have no doubt, if we exert ourselves properly, will secure the enjoyment of our liberties forever.

All accounts agree that Great Britain will make her greatest effort this summer. Should we, therefore, be able to keep our ground, we shall afterwards have little to apprehend from her. I do, therefore, most ardently beseech and request you, in the name and by the authority of Congress, as you regard your own freedom, and as you stand engaged by the most solemn ties of honour to support the common cause, to strain every nerve to send forward your Militia. This is a step of such infinite moment, that, in all human probability, your speedy compliance will prove the salvation of your country. It is impossible we can have any higher motives to induce us to act. We should reflect, too, that the loss of this campaign will inevitably protract the war; and that in order to gain it, we have only to exert ourselves, and to make use of the means which God and nature have given us to defend ourselves. I must, therefore, again repeat to you that the Congress most anxiously expect and request that you will not lose a moment in carrying into effect this requisition with all the zeal, spirit, and despatch which are so indispensably required by the critical situation of our affairs.

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

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To the Honourable Convention of Maryland.

(Same to the Assembly of Delaware Government.)