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much engaged in forwarding the building of the row-galley which I have undertaken, and am anxious to have her done very complete. Anything which the Council may have to do in the mean time in this quarter, they will command me. What has been done towards sending for the goods from Chingoteague, Mr. Nicholson has no doubt informed you. I am, gentlemen, with much respect, your most obedient humble servant, To the Hon. the Council of Safety, Annapolis. PETER CHAILLE TO MARILAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY. July 19, 1776. GENTLEMEN: The bearer, Mr. Samuel Smyly, is one of the owners of the schooner I informed you of when at Annapolis. She is well fitted as a merchantman, and think she will answer your purpose. What information Mr. Smyly gives you of her may be relied on, as he is a gentleman of integrity. DORCHESTER COUNTY COMMITTEE TO MARILAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY. In Committee of Observation for Dorchester County, GENTLEMEN: Basil Clarkson, of this County, was brought before us a few days ago, being charged with going on board the enemy's tenders, and carrying some men to join Lord Dunmore's party. And upon examining into the affair, we thought it our duty to send him over under the care of Captain Hindman, to take his trial before your Board. John Rumley was the only witness produced to us against him, whose deposition we have taken, and now send you enclosed. It is said Clarkson bears a very ill character, as to holding a communication with and carrying men in his boat to the tenders; and we have just now been informed that one Job Slocum, Jun., of this County, will prove that he endeavoured to persuade him and some others to go with him on board the tenders and join Lord Dunmore; but as the guard was just setting off with the prisoner, we could not delay them until we sent a summons for Slocum. There were several other persons apprehended in this County on suspicion of being unfriendly, and having a communication with the enemy; but upon our inquiring into their conduct, we could fix nothing criminal on them, and therefore discharged them, though some of them were under rather suspicious circumstances. And indeed we are sorry to inform you that we have lately discovered such an unfriendly disposition in many of the inhabitants about the islands in this County, that we are convinced that it will be productive of very ill consequences, unless some steps are taken immediately to keep them in proper order; and we beg leave to submit it to your consideration, whether it may not be absolutely necessary for the publick service that part of one of the Independent Companies be immediately stationed in that part of this County. The inhabitants there are so much exposed to the depredations of the enemy that we cannot help thinking many of them have been induced from that circumstance rather than from inclination to appear friendly towards them; and that many may be prevented from attempting to join the enemy could they see any forces stationed among them to afford them proper protection. Our Militia have been so long on duty, guarding our bay and river shores, to prevent the depredations of the enemy and the escape of Tories, that they have many of them lost considerably in their harvests, and suffered much in other parts of their property; and, we fear, if they are not assisted very soon they will be almost in a state of despair. Captain Woolford's company, which was originally intended for this County, is now taken from us, and part of it is ordered by Major Price to be stationed in Somerset, and the other part on the mouth of Nanticoke, whereby it is rendered almost useless to this County; and we are left in a manner defenceless, though as much exposed as any County in the Province. This being the situation of our County, we thought it necessary to inform you thereof, and we doubt not but your Honours will pay proper attention thereto. P. S. We are greatly in want of Powder, and should be glad to receive a supply as soon as possible. DEPOSITION OF JOHN RUMLEY. John Rumley deposeth and saith: That he was taken by a tender's boat on the shore of Spring's Island; that while he was on board the tender he saw a boat standing out of Hooper's Straits, directly for the tenders in company with that which this deponent was on board of; that the said boat continued her course directly on board one of those tenders; and that it appeared to this deponent to be the voluntary act of those on board said boat to go to the tenders, as there was not a gun fired at them, or any measures taken by the tenders to send a boat, or use any other means to bring said boat to them; that said boat getting alongside one of the tenders, he knew it to be Basil Clarkson's boat, and that said Clarkson and three others were in her, all of whom got on board the tender; that soon after Clarkson and his company boarded the tender, this deponent heard men on board the several tenders hail each other, and say that the Defence was lying off Hooper's Island, and that Basil Clarkson and a certain John Baptist told them so; which said Baptist and two others went on board the tender when Clarkson came off from them in his boat, about one hour and a half after his going on board; and further saith not. To the Honourable the Convention of MARYLAND: The Petition of Basil Clarkson most humbly showeth: That your Petitioner now is, and hath been for a considerable time past, confined in the jail of the City of Annapolis for a supposed crime of which your Petitioner is in no wise guilty. Your Petitioner also begs leave to represent to your Honours that he is now in almost a starving condition, occasioned by the want of, not only the common necessaries of life, with respect to bodily clothing, but also for the further want of bedding. That he is now craving your Honours to release your Petitioner from his confinement; and should your Honours deign to hear your Petitioner at the bar of your honourable House, your Petitioner is satisfied within his own mind that he shall be well acquitted. Should this Petition be adverted, your Petitioner, as in duty bound, will pray, &c. MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO ELISHA WINTERS.
SIR: The Convention having resolved that the firelocks of such of the Militia who are to compose part of the Flying-Camp as are not effective, but might be made so by repairs, should be repaired at the expense of this Province, and that we should cause muskets found by the Militia, borrowed or purchased, for the Flying-Camp, to be fitted with bayonets, iron ramrods, worms, priming-wires, brushes, belts or scabbards; and as we are apprehensive such repairs cannot be made or bayonets fitted on the Eastern-Shore, with that despatch and expedition the service may require, but at your shop, we desire you will immediately inform us whether you can engage in that business, and will undertake to repair and fit with bayonets such guns as shall be sent to you from the several Counties over the Bay for that purpose. If they can be done elsewhere, we shall not desire you to do them, as we would wish you should confine yourself as much as possible to the work you have in hand; but if they cannot, as there is an absolute necessity that the Militia should be immediately provided with good and substantial arms, we must request you will engage in that business for us. It cannot be expected that during the time you maybe at work on the arms for the Flying-Camp, that you should comply strictly with your contract with the Province; yet it is hoped that you will be able to furnish some guns, as we stand in very great need of them. We have already belts and scabbards sufficient, and have advertised for persons to make priming-wires and brushes, and expect to get the ramrods in Annapolis, so that you will not have anything to do but repair the guns and fit the bayonets, unless to make swivils to sling the guns, which must likewise be done. To Mr. Elisha Winters.
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