RICHARD DALLAM TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Harford County, July 16, 1776.

SIR: In answer to yours of the 10th instant, which I received yesterday, I inform you I have twenty-two muskets, finished complete, and fifteen more ready for stocking, six of which will be finished this week. Harvest, and sickness of two of my best hands, and the bursting of twelve or thirteen of my barrels in my absence, have disappointed my expectations. Twelve of the guns finished have been proved with two ounces of powder and one ball, the remainder with one ounce of powder and ball; but if this proof will not satisfy, I will apply to the gentlemen you mention to prove them, though it will be attended with expense and trouble in taking them out of the stocks, and fitting them in again. What other barrels I make, I shall apply to Mr. James Harris to see them proved before stocked, as he lives handy to us, and take his certificate. I will deliver at my factory, or at Harford town, to your order, what arms I have or can have made in time, according to agreement; but will not deliver them at Baltimore town at my own risk and expense. As Colonel Hall is in this neighbourhood, will not a delivery of the arms to him answer? I believe I could get slings for the muskets, and scabbards for the bayonets, made here, if you would let me know the price given for them.

I am, sir, your very humble servant,

RICHARD DALLAM.

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

P. S. I have not the least doubt but that my arms will please, and be found as good as any made in Maryland.

R. D.

CAPTAINS BARNES AND ELLIOTT TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

July 16, 1776.

We, the subscribers, having the command of the two companies of Militia on Kent Island, beg leave to inform you, that the people of the Island are much dispirited by reason of the removal of the Independent Company off the Island, and also of a number of young men who are gone to the Flying-Camp, which has weakened our Militia companies very much. And as the people are apprehensive of being plundered and driven off the Island very soon, unless reinforced, we therefore humbly desire that your Honours will immediately take the same under your consideration, and order a reinforcement to come to our assistance as soon as possible, or many of the people will go off; and, indeed, we are in some doubt that some of them will not take up arms, unless we have some other force to assist us; and then there is no doubt but that they will be very spirited, and will endeavour to defend the Island as long as possible.

This request we hope your Honours will grant us, or we shall be in a most deplorable situation, expecting to be plundered, and perhaps driven off the Island, if the enemy appears, which we hourly expect, as it is said the Island is intended as a place of rendezvous for them.

We are, gentlemen, your most obedient humble servants,

THOMAS BARNES, Jun.

THOMAS ELLIOTT.

To the Honourable Council of Safety of Maryland.

B. JOHNSON TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Frederick Town, July 16, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Captain Merory has been employed by me, and acted as Adjutant to my battalion for two months. You will be pleased to give him an order for £12. I presume that it will be very serviceable at present.

Mr. Williams, I understand, declines accepting his commission in the Flying-Camp. I have not altered my opinion, but am ready to obey the command of my country. I am, gentlemen, your obedient servant,

B. JOHNSON.

To the Council of Safety of Maryland, Annapolis.

GENERAL DENT TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Charles County, July 16, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Your letter contains the first information I have had on the subject. I shall immediately set out to St. Mary's, and take every precaution in my power to guard-against and repel the enemy. From the instructions heretofore given the Field-Officers, I expected to have had notice given me upon the appearance of an enemy as soon as possible; but no such thing have I had.

I am, gentlemen, in haste, your most obedient servant,

JOHN DENT.

To the Honourable Council of Safety.

ROBERT PORTEUS TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Baltimore, July 16, 1776.

HONOURED SIRS: I have been told that your honourable House has done me the honour of promoting me to a Third Lieutenancy in Captain Nathaniel Smith's Company of Artillery now stationed here. If what I have been told be true, I hope I shall merit the appointment, as my study shall be in every respect to discharge the trust you are so kind as to put in me with ever) mark of honour. I would most readily do myself the honour of waiting on you in person, but I am this day ordered to mount guard tomorrow as one of the Militia. I coming in turn in our company, (Baltimore Independents,) and being one of the first subscribers to that company, and having been a member ever since its commencement, I make no doubt, if you have not yet appointed a Lieutenant to Captain Smith's Company, that you will think of me, which will be acknowledged as a particular honour conferred; and have the honour to be, gentlemen, your very humble and obedient servant,

ROBERT PORTEUS.

JOHN SKINNER TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Baltimore, Nottingham Iron-Works, July 16, 1776.

SIR: I am favoured with yours of the 8th instant, concerning the casting some small cannon for the use of the Province; in answer to which I have to acquaint you that the Nottingham Company's furnace under my care Mowed out about five weeks ago. The remainder of this year will be employed in providing stock for another blast, so that we shall not be able to get to work again sooner than sometime next January.

I am, with respect, sir, your most obedient humble servant,

JOHN SKINNER.

COLONEL TYLER TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

July 16, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Agreeable to your orders, a company out of my battalion will be at Annapolis to-day; they are not quite complete, but will be made so to-morrow. The notice I had was so short there was not time to collect the whole battalion, which is the reason that some of them are badly armed. It was past seven o'clock on Tuesday morning before I received the orders. Colonel Williams waits on you with this, and, if necessary, will attend the company till relieved. I should have waited on you myself, but have just recovered from a spell of sickness, and being a good deal fatigued by attending the battalion yesterday, it would have gone hard with me.

I am, gentlemen, your very humble servant,

ROBERT TYLER

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO THE COMMITTEES OF OBSERVATION.

GENTLEMEN: Enclosed we send you the Declaration of Independence, and the Letter that accompanied it from Congress to the Convention, requesting that it should be proclaimed in our Colony. We transmit the Declaration to you, that you may proclaim it in your County in the manner you judge most proper for the information of the people.

We are, &c,

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO BENTON HARRIS.

SIR: We received your letter by Mr. Smyly, and send you by him the sum of £150, currency, to defray expenses, for which you will hereafter render us an account.