MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO JESSE HOLLINGSWORTH.

SIR: We have received both yours of the 1lth and 14th, and have despatched the last vessel you sent down with the flour to Pocomoke. We are sorry to hear the flour on board Messrs. Lux and Bowly's vessel has been so much damaged by their negligence, but no doubt they will think it but reasonable to make us a compensation.

You will receive by Captain Nicholson, two hundred and fifty pounds, out of which you will be pleased to pay for the vessels that carried the soldiers from Baltimore, as also for those you sent down to Annapolis for that purpose. We are pleased with your conduct, and are obliged to you for the assistance you have given us.

We request you will purchase the timber Mr. Wells may want for building the two gondolas, and apply the remainder of the money in payment for the same; what more you may have occasion for, shall be sent you as you want it. While you are employed in the publick business, we really think it unreasonable you should be obliged to attend at musters; it is our desire, therefore, that you should be exempt from that attendance, and desire you will signify this to your officers; and we are, &c.

To Mr. Jesse Hollingsworth.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO CHARLES RIDGELY, SEN.

SIR: The Council of Safety would be glad to see you immediately, on the subject of your Letter. We are, &c.

To Mr. Charles Ridgely, Sen.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO DELEGATES IN CONGRESS.

GENTLEMEN: Mr. Hughes, the bearer of this, has been under contract with the Convention to supply them with cannon; he has nearly complied with his contract with us, and has run himself and his partners to a pretty considerable expense to get his works into such order as may enable them to cast many more than we shall probably want for the use of this Province. The cannon of his first casting did not stand proof, but he has his furnace now in such order that the cannon they cast are very good. He has been informed that the Congress are in want, and would willingly contract with them, and would yet considerably enlarge his works, provided the Congress would take all the cannon he and his partners should cast before the first day of next January twelvemonth. We introduce him to you as a man of credit, and who will, in our opinion, comply with any contract he may enter into with the Congress. We are, &c.

To the Deputies in Congress.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO LANCASTER COMMITTEE.

Philadelphia, July 12, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: The enclosed resolve, which I have it in charge from Congress to transmit, is so extremely explicit, that I have only to request you will have it carried into immediate execution with all the despatch in your power.

I shall write to the Committee of Reading to remove the prisoners in that place to your town.

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

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

Committee of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania

In Congress, July 10, 1776.

Resolved, That the Committee of Lancaster be empowered and requested to keep a guard over the Prisoners in the Barracks of that Borough, and to surround the said Barracks with a stockade fort.

That the Privates who are prisoners in the Town of Reading, be removed to the Borough of Lancaster.

By order of Congress:

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

THOMAS STONE TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Philadelphia, July 12, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Yours, by Captain Strieker, was this morning delivered to me, and I shall pay particular attention to its contents, though I much fear our endeavours to procure an Engineer to suit your purpose will not be successful. Every man who ever fired a cannon, or was present at erecting any kind of fortifications, has been taken up for the Continental service.

There is no provision made here for quartering any troops which may pass through. Upon the first notice of Colonel Smallwood's approach I made inquiry of the state of the city barracks, and find that there are some soldiers in them who have the small-pox, of which I shall acquaint Colonel Smallwood before he gets into town. Indeed, there is danger in almost every part of the city, and I shall advise him to halt his men in the common for a while, until some safe place can be provided for their reception. They will feel severely the want of tents, of which there are none in the Continental stores. I submit to your consideration if it would not be proper to have tents immediately made, and sent after the troops. They will probably be stationed at a place where no quarters can be had. I expect to see them to-morrow. Captain Strieker will, I think, be appointed a field-officer in the German battalion, for which I have no doubt but he is well qualified, from what I have heard of him.

The Militia of this Province are daily marching to Trenton in the Jerseys, from whence they are to proceed to Amboy. This will be the route of our troops I presume. If Brigadier Dent should join the Regulars with the Militia to be raised in your Province, I don't know how it will be possible to settle the rank of the officers. As to keeping them distinct when they are to compose one army, it seems to me to be impracticable. The rank of each officer in the Army must be settled before service is entered on, or the greatest confusion will probably take place.

I ordered, by Mr. Stephen Stewart, a case of instruments, some paper, and a gun-carriage. Be pleased to inform me if you received them. Mr. Alexander writes me that Dr. Weisenthal wants the instruments very much.

Our affairs on the Lake are far from being so prosperous as I wish them, though we have heard nothing certain from that quarter since our Army retreated to Crown-Point. Considerable reinforcements are ordered, and if they arrive in time, I hope our enemies will receive a check.

General Howe remains on Staten-Island, exercising his men, and viewing the situation of the adjacent grounds. The inhabitants of the Island are generally Tories, who I suppose will assist him all they can without taking up arms, which I think few of them will do.

General Washington and the Army under him are in good spirits, and our strength daily increasing. We regret to hear of the arrival of a considerable reinforcement from Britain. We are daily in expectation of a more intimate acquaintance between the two adverse armies. May God send victory to the arm lifted in support of righteousness, virtue, and freedom, and crush even to destruction the power which wantonly would trample on the rights of mankind. Our Province is now unrepresented, though matters of the last consequence are coming on. I pray one of the Delegates may be desired to attend. Mr. Paca is out, which occasions me alone to address you.

I am, gentlemen, with most sincere esteem, your faithful and most humble servant,

T. STONE.

To the Hon. Council of Safety of Maryland, at Annapolis.

ALEXANDER WILCOCKS TO MARYLAND CONVENTION.

In Committee of Safety, Philadelphia, July 12, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: The Committee of Safety take the liberty to enclose a letter from General Washington, (of July 8,) recommending Lieutenant Wilpert to a company in the German Battalion. They would have been happy in an occasion of showing proper respect to such a recommendation, but unfortunately it did not arrive till the appointment had been made. Should there be an opening left in the Maryland division of the battalion, they make no doubt but you will be pleased with an opportunity of providing for Mr. Wilpert, agreeable to the General's desire.

I am gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servant.

By order of the Board:

ALEXANDER WILCOCKS, Chairman

To the Convention of Maryland.