COL. HOLLINGSWORTH TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Elk, 7 o'clock, July 8, at Evening.

SIR: Yours of the 7th per express is now before me. Every requisite necessary shall be provided for expediting the troops with despatch. Could wish something had been said regarding provisions, as I am now at a loss whether to provide or not; and am, sir, your most obedient humble servant,

H. HOLLINGSWORTH.

To Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, President of the Council of Safety.

COLONEL TYLER TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

July 8, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: You have, enclosed, a list of the arms in my battalion. I am informed by Major Williams, who examined the guns, that all those said to be in good order are such as the owners would choose to make use of in case of an emergency. By this return, the guns in the battalion amount to no more than three hundred and fifty-one, which I am sorry to hear are so few; however, the many good ones make amends.

I have further to inform you, that for the sake of satisfying the people, I allowed them to choose a second Major, who is wanting, from the resignation of Colonel Joshua Beall, and that Captain John McGill had the voice of a very great majority. I therefore recommend him as very worthy your notice, and hope you will appoint him to that command. I beg you will send commissions of Mr. Williams's, Mr. Snowden's, and my promotions, by Mr. Millikin, who has the care of this letter. I am, gentlemen, your very humble servant,

ROBERT TYLER.

JESSE HOLLINGSWORTH TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Baltimore, Sunday afternoon, July 8, 1776.

SIRS: At the request of Mr. Purviance, I have sent down three vessels that will carrsy three companies of the soldiers to Elk, or where they may be wanted. I do this at his request, not doubting but it may be right, as he says you desire it. But please when you want anything done by me, write a line, as I could tell better how to proceed, and with greater certainty. I shall finish unloading the brigs to-morrow; but the delay was owing to the owners not beginning at your first request. From your friend and humble servant,

JESSE HOLLINGSWORTH.

P. S. I am to pay for each of these vessels 17s. 6d. per day, and they find them in hands and provisions.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO MATTHIAS HAMMOND.

SIR: Two companies of Colonel Hall's battalion will be immediately ordered to the city of Annapolis, for its defence, agreeable to a resolution of Convention. And as it will be proper that you, as Quartermaster, should provide quarters and provision for them, we have thought fit to give you this early information of it, that you may adjust matters accordingly; the service requires expedition, and that not a moment should be lost in taking the necessary measures. We are, &.c.

To Mat. Hammond, Quartermaster.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO STEPHEN STEWART.

SIR: The Council of Safety will take Mr. Sprigg's vessel if you are of opinion that she will make a fast sailer, draw little water, and suit this Province as an armed vessel, of which please to advise us in writing; and request she may be got ready with the utmost despatch. We hope and expect a fortnight will complete her. When can you set off for the Eastern-Shore to examine the vessels which are offered as suitable for the purpose? We want them. You promised to be with us on Friday, but we did not understand whether you could immediately go over the bay. This matter requires despatch, and we beg your immediate answer. If you can go, we shall be much pleased; if you cannot go, do you know any one who would be proper to send on that business? We are, &c.

To Mr. Stephen Stewart.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO COLONEL DORSEY.

SIR: You will see by the enclosed resolve that the Convention have directed the place of the regulars that are to march from hence to Philadelphia should be supplied by three companies of the neighbouring Militia till the Militia for the Flying-Camp can be got ready. The Council of Safety have thought proper to order a company of your battalion to march down here immediately, and we desire you will despatch them with the utmost expedition. We expect a sufficient number of the Militia for the Flying-Camp will be raised in a very short time to supply the place of yours, with the other companies which shall be discharged, as soon as possible. Colonels Weems and Hammond are now with us, and intend that the company they are respectively to furnish shall be composed out of the whole battalion companies if wholly ordered out, may be much distressed and very indifferently armed. We are, &c.

To Colonel Thomas Dorsey.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO THOMAS SMYTH.

SIR: The Council of Safety request you will agree with Blake for the cartridge-boxes, &c. The price of the whole is twelve shillings, but we cannot ascertain individually, not having yet been furnished with the contracts by Mr. Alexander, who made them. We are, &c.

To Thomas Smyth, Esq.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO CHARLES RIDGELY.

SIR: We have immediate occasion, on account of the Province, for some swivels and small cannon, from four-pounders downwards, and shall (as we are informed your furnace is in blast) be very glad to know whether you can cast them. If you can, be pleased to let us know the terras, and by what time you can furnish us with them.We are, &c.

To Messrs. Charles Ridgely and John Weston, respectively.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO DELEGATES IN CONGRESS.

GENTLEMEN: The Convention have ordered that the sum often thousand pounds be appropriated to fortify the city of Annapolis, and to place obstructions in the river Severn; but as we have not, nor know of an Engineer properly qualified to carry on the works, and your station may perhaps afford you an opportunity of assisting us with one, we beg you will make inquiry for and recommend to us some person of knowledge and experience in that science. We are anxious to comply with the resolve of Convention, as Annapolis is very undefensible; and we presume, from its advantageous situation, will be an object with the enemy. We are so thronged with business that we cannot now write you fully, but will as soon as we have a little leisure. As the conveniences may not be provided for Colonel Smallwood and the troops by the time they reach Philadelphia, we request you will give him all the assistance you can. We send you, enclosed, a resolve of our Convention, relating to our regular forces, which we desire you will communicate to the Brigadier-General of the Flying-Camp. We are, &c.

To the Deputies for Maryland in Congress.

P. S. We take the liberty of recommending Captain Stricker to you, as a person for a field officer in the German battalion, and think the service will be benefited by his appointment. If he should be commissioned, the sooner it is done the better, as it will probably be a great inducement to his countrymen to inlist.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO ROBERT ALEXANDER.

SIR: The Council of Safety are much at a loss in respect to the contracts made by you in Baltimore; they have written to you several times to transmit them, but have never had the pleasure to receive them or a line from you on the subject. There is a real necessity for their being lodged here,