they ought to do, provided the Committee of Somerset either choose to take security of the said Houston themselves, or have sufficient reason to believe him a friend to the country.

Whereas Abraham Evening, a person suspected of being inimical to the interest of America, was adjudged by this Committee to give security in the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds sterling for his good behaviour, and hath neglected to do so, the Committee agreed to issue a warrant for the apprehending and commitment to prison of the said Abraham Evening, which was done, as follows:

Whereas a certain Abraham Evening was brought before this Committee on the 9th instant as a Non-Associator, and a person suspected of being unfriendly to the rights and liberties of America, and the Committee adjudged him, the said Abraham Evening, to find security in the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds sterling, agreeable to a resolve of the honourable Convention of this Province in that case made and provided, which security he, the said Abraham Evening, hath neglected:

These are therefore to require you to arrest the body of him, the said Abraham Evening, and deliver him, with this commitment, to the Sheriff of Baltimore County, who is commanded to receive into his custody the said Abraham Evening, and him in his Jail safely keep, until he finds the above mentioned security, or be delivered therefrom by the honourable the Convention of this Province, the honourable the Council of Safety, or this Committee; and for your so doing, this shall be your sufficient authority.

Given under our hands and seals this 11th July, 1776.

Signed by all present.

Attested:

GEORGE LUX, Secretary.

BALTIMORE COMMITTEE TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

In Committee, Baltimore, July 11, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Agreeable to your instructions we have nominated the gentlemen, whose names are undermentioned, as officers for the two companies of Germans to be raised in this County.

We advertised a meeting of the Committee to be held this day for the very purpose, and have taken care to be as well informed as possible of the characters and qualifications of the persons who applied to us; and we have the satisfaction to assure you they are all persons whose merits and reputations appear to us in the most favourable light.

We are, with much respect, gentlemen, your most humble servants.

SAMUEL PURVIANCE, Jun., Ch'n.

WILLIAM BUCHANAN,

WILLIAM AISQUITH,

BENJAMIN GRIFFITH,

J. GRIEST,

JAMES CALHOUN,

JOHN STERRETT.

To the Honourable Council of Safety, at Annapolis.

Officers recommended for the two Companies of Germans to be raised in Baltimore County:

Philip Greybill, Captain; John Shora, First Lieutenant; Christian Myers, Second Lieutenant; and Martin Shugart, Ensign.

George Peter Keyports, Captain; Samuel Garroch, First Lieutenant; William Ritter, Second Lieutenant; and John Lindenberger, Ensign.

HARFORD COMMITTEE TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

July 11, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Agreeable to a resolve of the late Convention, empowering the Committee of this County to appoint the officers of a Rifle Company to be raised within this County, we have chosen and do recommend the following gentlemen as worthy of commissions, to wit: Alexander Lawson Smith, Captain; James White Hall, First Lieutenant; William Bradford, Second Lieutenant; and Josias Hall, Third Lieutenant; whose conduct, we flatter ourselves, will do honour to them and justice to the choice of this Committee.

We are, gentlemen, your most humble servants.

Signed per order of Committee of Harford County:

AMOS GARRETT, Chairman.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO COLONEL HALL.

SIR: The Council of Safety think it proper that you and the battalion under your command should be stationed at this city and at Baltimore town, to supply the place of the regular troops that have marched from this Province to Pennsylvania. As we desire to see you as soon as possible, to concert the proper measures for the defence of this place, we request you will come to Annapolis as soon as you can. We send you enclosed your commission. We are, &c.

To Colonel Josias Carvil Hall.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO BALTIMORE COUNTY COMMITTEE.

GENTLEMEN: The Council of Safety think it expedient to have a Magazine built at some place in your County, between five and ten miles back from Baltimore town. They would have it large enough to contain about four hundred barrels of powder, and a proportionable quantity of lead, arched and substantially built; and will be obliged if you will fix on any place you may judge safe and convenient,, and contract for materials and attend to the construction of the same. They will supply the cash necessary to defray the expense whenever you will be pleased to call for it.

We are, &c.

To the Committee of Baltimore County.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO COL. HOLLINGSWORTH.

SIR: We are in immediate want of about four hundred bayonets, of different sized sockets, for the arms of the Eastern-Shore Militia, who are to compose part of the Flying-Camp, and have sent an order on you to Mr. Winters for them; and we request you will supply him with that number as soon as possible. The greatest exertions are necessary upon this occasion, and we doubt not your warmest efforts to enable us to carry into execution the resolves of our Convention with that despatch the exigency of the times require. We are, &c.

To Colonel Henry Hollingsworth.

JOHN ADAMS TO MRS. ADAMS

Philadelphia, July 11, 1776.

You seem to be situated in the place of greatest tranquillity and security of any upon the Continent. I may be; mistaken in this particular, and an armament may have invaded your neighbourhood before now. But we have no intelligence of any such design; and all that we now know of the motions, plans, operations, and designs of the enemy, indicate the contrary. It is but just that you should have a little rest, and take a little breath.

I wish I knew whether your brother and mine have inlisted in the Army, and what spirit is manifested by our Militia for marching to New-York and Crown-Point. The Militia of Maryland, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the lower Counties, are marching with much alacrity, and a laudable zeal, to take care of Howe and his Army at Staten-Island. The Army in New-York is in high spirits, and seems determined to give the enemy a serious reception. The unprincipled and unfeeling and unnatural inhabitants of Staten-Island are cordially receiving the enemy, and, deserters say, have engaged to take arms. They are an ignorant, cowardly pack of scoundrels. Their numbers are small, and their spirit less.

It is some time since I received any letter from you. The Plymouth one was the last. You must write me every week, by the post, if it is but a few lines. It gives me many spirits. I design to write to the General Court, requesting a dismission, or at least a furlough. I think to propose that they choose four more members, or at least three more, that so we may attend here in rotation. Two or three or four may be at home at a time, and the Colony properly represented notwithstanding. Indeed, while the Congress were employed in political regulations, forming the sentiments of the people of the Colonies into some consistent system, extinguishing the remainders of authority under the