MARYLAND COUNCIL, OF SAFETY TO CAPTAINS BARNES AND ELLICOTT.

GENTLEMEN: We received your favour of the 16th instant about an hour ago, and are sorry to find the people of Kent Island so very uneasy from an opinion Dunmore will attack them. We do not apprehend, unless he should receive a considerable reinforcement, that he will attempt anything of that sort, as, from the best information we have of them, his party is unequal to such a measure. However, hearing of the apprehensions which prevailed among you, and that you were not sufficiently provided with ammunition by the Committee of Observation for Queen Anne's, who we expected would supply you, and being desirous of guarding against every possibility of danger, we had ordered, before the receipt of your letter, a barrel of powder and four hundred pounds of lead to be lodged with Messrs. Thomas Ringgold, Aquila Brown, and Dr. Ringgold, for the use of the Island, and that Captain Dean's company of the Flying-Camp Militia should, as soon as they could be armed, march down for your protection. But as your recommendation of such as would answer the purpose would probably expedite the business, we think you had better make the proper inquiry, and write us. We are, &c.

To Captains Barnes and Ellicott.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO COLONEL EWING.

SIR: The Militia of the Flying-Camp are not to draw pay or rations until they receive orders to march.

We are, &c.

To Colonel Thomas Ewing.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Philadelphia, July 17, 1776.

SIR: Your favour of the 14th instant was duly received, and immediately laid before Congress. In obedience to their commands, I do myself the honour to forward sundry resolves.

The Congress being of opinion that a quantity of powder should be distributed through the several Counties of New-York and New-Jersey, I am to request you will give directions to have it lodged in the hands of such persons as may be depended upon.

I have delivered Monsieur Kirmovan his commission, and directed him to repair immediately to the Jerseys, and put himself under the officer who commands the Flying-Camp. You will please to give orders respecting the appointment of a Sergeant-Major, a Quartermaster-General, and Paymaster-General in each regiment; and likewise necessary directions to General Schuyler with regard to cleansing the Army of the small-pox.

Mr. Humpton and Mr. Dawson have been officers in the British Army, and I hope will be of service in ours. They will be ordered to Head-Quarters as soon as possible.

Upwards of a thousand troops from Maryland are now in this city, on their way to join the Flying-Camp in New-Jersey. They are an exceeding fine body of men, and will begin their march this day.

Agreeably to the enclosed resolves of Congress, I have written in the most vehement and pressing manner to the Massachusetts-Bay, Connecticut, and New-Jersey, to forward their Militia, and I have no doubt of their compliance immediately.

With the most fervent and incessant wishes that your head may be covered in the day of battle, and that success may crown your arms, I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient and very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To His Excellency General Washington.

PRESIDENT OP CONGRESS TO PENNSYLVANIA CONVENTION.

Philadelphia, July 17, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: The Congress, previous to the meeting of the Convention of the State of Pennsylvania, have received information of such a nature as induced them to appoint a Committee, who are under an injunction of secrecy, to make the necessary inquiry; but as this State is mostly interested in the subject of the inquiry, Congress have thought proper that the matter should be made known to a Committee of your body. I have it, therefore, in charge to request that you will be pleased to appoint a Committee from your Convention, to be under an injunction of secrecy, to confer with the Committee of Congress on this important matter. Having the honour to be of the Committee of Congress, I should be glad to be informed of the names of such persons as you shall appoint on the Committee, that a time and place may be fixed on for the conference.

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

JOHN HANCOCK, President,

To the Convention of Pennsylvania, now sitting.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO COLONEL SMALLWOOD.

Philadelphia, July 17, 1770.

SIR: I have it in charge from Congress to direct that you, as soon as possible, march the troops from, Maryland, now in this city, to New-York, and there put yourself under the command of General Washington. The exigency of the service requiring as speedy a junction as possible of your troops with those at New-York, I recommend you to use all despatch in your power.

I am, sir, your very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Colonel William Smallwood, Philadelphia.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL MERCER.

Philadelphia, July 17, 1776.

SIR: I am reduced to the last minute, and have only time to enclose you sundry resolves of Congress for your direction, to which I beg leave to request your attention.

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

JOHN HANCOCK, President.

To Brigadier-General Mercer, New-Jersey.

In Committee of Safety, Philadelphia, July 17, 1776.

It being recommended to this Committee by the Convention to take the necessary steps respecting the Guard directed by Congress to be kept in this City:

Resolved, That the four companies of Militia of this City and Liberties, detained by General Roberdeau as guards for this City, namely, Captain Smythers, of the First Battalion, Captain Peters, of the Second, Captain Wharton, of the Third, and the company lately commanded by Captain Burkhard, of the Fourth, be required to attend their duty regularly and punctually, under the orders and command of Captain Peters. And the commanding officers of the said companies are required to enrol into the same all such Associators as, from particular circumstances, cannot march with the Militia now called into service for the Flying-Camp and all such Associators are earnestly exhorted to enrol themselves in some one of the said companies, for this necessary and important service, in which they are to continue during the absence of the companies to which they respectively belong.

Extract from the Minutes:

WILLIAM GOVETT, Secretary.

GENERAL WASHINGTON TO THE PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS.

New-York, July 17, 1776.

SIR: Colonel Hand having informed me that he means to purchase regimentals for his battalion in Philadelphia, I must take the liberty to request you will have the nine thousand dollars, resolved by Congress of the 12th ultimo to be paid him here for that purpose, to be advanced to him or his order there. The state of our chest is extremely low, and many pressing demands against it; besides, as the clothes are to be paid for there, it seems unnecessary to send money from hence. An account of the advance may be transmitted, in order to a stoppage from the men's pay. I have the honour to be, sir, your most obedient,

GO. WASHINGTON.

To the Hon. John Hancock, Esq.