“The Memorial of the Council of Safety, showeth:

“That at last December session it was resolved that the sum of £5,900 be appropriated to fortify the City of Annapolis, and place obstructions in the channel of the river, and that the same should be laid out for the purposes aforesaid by the Council of Safety thereafter to be appointed, if it should appear practicable to them to erect such fortifications and lay such obstructions for that sum, exclusive of the cost of cannon, powder, and the like, as would prevent men-of-war approaching the said City.

“The Council of Safety have not raised any fortifications in consequence of said resolve, because it was not practicable, in their opinion, to fortify the City and place obstructions in the channel of the river, for the sum to which they were limited by the resolve. They conceive it could not be done effectually without a much more considerable sum. The river Severn, between the two points at the mouth thereof, is near fifteen hundred yards over, the channel upwards of eight hundred yards, in some places the water twenty feet deep and more, as will appear by a chart thereof, to which your Memorialists beg leave to refer. No obstructions have been thought of by them proper to be placed in the channel of the river but chevaux-de-frise, or piles. Both these are liable to be soon destroyed by the worm. If large piles could be driven down, headed with iron, they would be eaten so much with the worm in the course of one season, that they would be easily borne down by men-of-war, coming up under full sail with a brisk wind. All obstructions of wood are liable to this objection, and therefore, in their opinion, not to be depended on.

“The Council of Safety endeavoured, soon after their appointment, to procure cannon from Philadelphia or New-York, but were disappointed.

“Mr. Hughes hath not yet complied with his contract. The want of heavy cannon was a further reason why they could not proceed: when they can be procured, your Memorialists are of opinion that batteries may be erected on Greenbury’s Point, the Windmill Point, Horn Point, and places adjacent between that and the City on the south side of the river, which may be of service to prevent landing, although they might not fully answer the purpose of preventing men-of-war approaching the place.

“Your Memorialists further observe, that, at the late Convention, it was thought expedient to appropriate part of the money for building three row-galleys, or gondolas; so that there will not remain more than £3,000, currency, or thereabouts, to be applied to the erecting fortifications.

“Under these circumstances, your Memorialists submit to the honourable Convention whether they will direct the Council of Safety to endeavour to procure cannon, and also to buy up materials for erecting batteries, giving them a discretionary power to draw on the Treasury for such expenses as may be necessary, not exceeding a certain sum; or whether your Honours will direct the residue of £5,900 to be laid out in throwing up breastworks, and making other defences within the City, to prevent the enemy landing and taking possession thereof.

“By order and on behalf of the Council of Safety:

“ DANIEL OF ST. THOMAS JENIFER, Pres’t.”

Ordered, That the Commissary of Stores at Annapolis, and the Armourer, deliver to Major Thomas Price thirty-eight Gun-locks for the Rifles made at Frederick County.

Ordered, That said Commissary deliver to Captain Vea-zey, half a dozen quires Cartridge Paper.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western-Shore pay to Captain James Tootell, £J6 8d., currency, for guarding Magazine, &c.

Copy of Letter No. 48 was sent to the Committee of Kent County, and No. 49 to Captain Edward Veazey.

Ordered, That the Commissioners of the Gun-lock Manufactory at Fredericktown furnish and make for Jacob Schley ten large Gun-locks agreeable to a pattern they will receive for that purpose from said Schley.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western-Shore pay to Baker Johnson, Esq., for the use of Thomas Eddison, £30, for his attendance as Adjutant to Colonel James Johnson’s Battalion for the term of five months to the 30th June, 1776.

Ordered, That the said Treasurer pay the Clerk £20, for Expresses, &c.

Adjourned till next day, ten o’clock.

Friday June 28, 1776.

Met according to adjournment. Present the same Members as on yesterday.

Ordered, That Cumberland Dugan, of Baltimore Town, deliver to Messrs. Galloway & Stewart two thousand weight of Biscuit, by him baked for Provincial use, and two barrels of Flour.

Copy of Letter No. 50 was sent to the Committee of Observation for Calvert County, and No. 51 to the Committees of the several Counties, respectively.

Ordered, That the Commissaries of Stores at Annapolis deliver out of the publick Magazine to Lieutenant Archibald Anderson, six quires of Cartridge Paper for the use of Captain Hindman’s Company.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Eastern-Shore pay to Captain James Hindman £100, currency, on account of his Company.

Copy of Letter No. 52 was sent to Captain James Hind-man; No. 53 to same; and No. 54 to Lieutenant Bennet Bracco.

Ordered, That a publick Magazine be erected near Tal-bot Court-House, in Talbot County, under the care and management of Brigadier-General Chamberlaine, for the reception and security of Gunpowder, and that the said Magazine be built of brick and stone, and of the following dimensions, viz: twenty-two by eighteen feet, arched with brick, with a wire rod on the top, and lined with plank on end; and that the said James Lloyd Chamberlaine be requested to undertake the same, and render an account of expenses, that the same may be paid on behalf of the Province.

Adjourned till next day, ten o’clock.

Saturday, June 29, 1776.

Met according to adjournment. Present the same Members as on yesterday.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western-Shore pay to Isaac Vanbibber £108, for demurrage of Brig Hannah.

Mr. Isaac Vanbibber delivers to the Council of Safety an account of five hundred pounds weight of Gunpowder, sold in North-Carolina, which was imported for the use of this Province, amounting to £200, currency; £130 9s., currency, of which the Council of Safety received from said Vanbibber, and ordered the same to be lodged in the hands of the Treasurer of the Western-Shore, which the Clerk did accordingly.

Mr. Smyth having first withdrawn, the Council of Safety agreed to allow him and Messrs. Galloway & Stewart 8d., currency, per pound for all the Iron which they shall furnish and use in building the Gondolas contracted for on behalf of this Province.

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