pound, and Flints at 5s. per hundred: said Minot paying the Commissary aforesaid for the same.

And the said Minot is hereby directed to distribute the same among the inhabitants of the said Towns of Camden, Majorbeggaduce, Fox-Islands, and Belfast, in the same proportion as the money, and on the same terms.

Resolve permitting Mr. MASON WHEATON to improve an Estate of THOMAS FLUCKER, Esquire; passed JULY 13, 1776.

Resolved, That Mason Wheaton have leave to improve the Estate of Thomas Flucker, who has quitted this country, till the 15th day of April next, he giving the Committee on the East side of St. George security to pay them, for the use of this Colony, such a sum, as rent for the same, as they shall judge it to be reasonably worth.

Grant for the Travel and Attendance of the Members of the House; passed JULY 13, 1776.

In the House of Representatives: The Pay-Roll of the Members of the House, with their Travel and Attendance in the House, from the 29th of May last to the 13th of July current. Read and approved by the House.

In Council: Read and allowed.

Ordered, That a Warrant be drawn on the Treasury for £1819 15s., in full of said Roll.

JESSE HOLLINGSWORTH TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Baltimore, July 14, 1776.

SIRS: I received your letter, and am well satisfied that I have so far pleased you. You mention sending two hundred and fifty pounds by Captain Nicholson, He brought me an order for that sum, but no cash. I have sent the order by Mr. Wells to receive the money. After paying the flour expense to the Potomack, the expense of discharging the brigs, and the hire for the vessels for the troops to Elk, I shall lay out the remainder in any way you please to order. As I have opened an account for you, I shall credit you with the money, and charge you for what I do and pay for you, and render you a statement of the account monthly, or at the end of certain jobs done.

Mr. Wells has sundry proposals to make, but thinks it hard that he can't be paid his old account, which I know is hard on him, as a man can have no trust here for anything, and his circumstances won't admit of his laying out of his money so long.

There are twenty barrels of superfine flour left with me, and I was at the baker's last night; there is a good deal of bread baked and very good. If there is any wanted for the brig, please let me know in time; or if flour is wanted, I have a few barrels of flour I would sell at nine shillings per hundred, which I would send down for the brig.

From your humble servant,

JESSE HOLLINGSWORTH.

To the Hon. Council of Safety, at Annapolis.

P. S. My flour is fresh and good, if you should want to send any to Chingoteague for the brig.

JOHN HANSON, JUN., TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Fredericktown, July 14, 1776.

SIR: The mode pointed out by the Convention for arming the men now raising for the Continental service, I am afraid will prove ineffectual. The people are much averse to parting with their arms, unless they are immediately paid for them; and we know of no resolve authorizing such purchase. Should there be any such, be pleased to order a copy to be sent; or if your honourable Board should think proper to order such guns a may be necessary, to be bought up, I think the men would soon be sufficiently armed; and humbly offer it as my opinion, that unless some such step be taken, the providing of arms here, for the men that may be raised in this part of the County, will be altogether impracticable.

I am, sir, your most humble servant,

JOHN HANSON, Jun.

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

COLONEL SOMERVILLE TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OP SAFETY.

Calvert County, July 14, 1776,

Sunday, five o'clock.

GENTLEMEN: About one o'clock yesterday morning, by express from Captain Beall, I received information that there were forty sail of vessels off Point Lookout, (eight of which were square-rigged,) and requesting some assistance from our Militia, and to get the other part in readiness in case they should proceed up the bay. Colonel Mackall not being in the country, I gave such orders as I thought might put us in the best posture of defence. The six upper companies were to hold themselves in readiness to march on the shortest notice, and with part of the rest I went to Drum-Point. About four o'clock a firing of cannon, &c., was heard, (supposed to be in the Potomack,) which is confirmed this morning by Mr. Hugh Hopewell, Jun., who was down near where the firing was, and brought the enclosed letter from Colonel Barnes, who also requested the assistance of Captain Beall and his men. Mr. Hopewell came to Drum-Point this morning about nine o'clock, and Captain Beall, with all the men he had there, set out about half-past ten, leaving that post in charge of our Militia, who are now but few in number; but I propose to get (and keep) there about sixty or seventy men, exclusive of officers, until I receive your orders, or until Captain Beall's return. The ships-of-war, tenders, &c., were this morning lying off between the St. Mary's River and Point-Lookout; and it is reported by some deserters from them, that they intend to land on St. George's Island, in the mouth of St. Mary's River. Captain Beall desired me to inform you of his marching, and desires your orders how he shall proceed. Colonel Barnes could not get an express to carry his letter to you in St. Mary's, and therefore sent it this way, and expects to receive your answer the same way, which I will send him as soon as it comes. I shall go to Drum-Point in the morning, and you may depend I will do all in my power to prevent their landing in this County, if they should alter their course so as to come up the bay or into the Patuxent.

This express is to be paid from Drum-Point to Annapolis, which is about fifty-five miles, and by which I expect your orders, which shall be punctually obeyed.

I am, gentlemen, your most obedient, humble servant,

ALEXANDER SOMERVILLE.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

P. S. A messenger will be waiting at the late Captain Carroll's dwelling-house tomorrow evening to receive your answer to Colonel Barnes's letter. You will be pleased to direct what number of Militia can be kept on duty in this County, and what number of officers.

COLONEL DORSEY TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

July 14, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Captain Riggs waits on you with a company of Militia out of my battalion. This extremely busy time has prevented my sending them sooner. I hope they will be relieved by the Flying-Camp in a few days. If they are not, I purpose to relieve them by another company out of my battalion.

I am, gentlemen, your most humble servant,

THOMAS DORSEY.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety, Annapolis.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL ROBERDEAU.

Philadelphia, Sunday, July 14, 1776.

SIR: I have it this day in command from Congress to desire you will issue fresh orders and exert yourself to forward the immediate march of the whole Militia destined for the Jerseys from this Colony, the service requiring their being as soon as possible imbodied in the Jerseys, in consequence of fresh advices from General Washington by express. I beg to request your particular attention to this matter.

I have the honour to be, sir, your very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.,

To the Honourable Brigadier-General Roberdeau.