be with General Lee. An officer of distinction writes: "That when he considers the difficulties which the enemy's Generals have to encounter, the temper and disposition of their troops, and the improving spirit of our people, he assures himself that the game in that quarter is in our hands, and hopes that God will give them more grace than to shuffle it away."

BALTIMORE COMMITTEE TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Baltimore, July 25, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: Messrs. Gordon and Patten, saddlers in this town, have informed me that they had made proposals to you for making a quantity of knapsacks and haversacks for the service of the Flying-Camp; and that a recommendation from the Committee, or some persons here well known to you, was necessary before a contract was made. As there may not be a meeting of the Committee before Monday, we conceive it might further the publick service to give you our opinion, that they are both men of character, and equal to the undertaking, and that we doubt not they will punctually fulfil any engagement of the nature in question which they may make.

We are, gentlemen, your most humble servants,

SAML. PURVIANCE, JUN.,

JAS. CALHOUN,

JOHN BOYD.

To the Honourable the Council of Safety of Maryland, Annapolis.

JOHN HANSON TO MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY.

Frederick County, Middle District, July 25, 1776.

GENTLEMEN: I am directed by the Committee of this District to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 16th, enclosing several resolves and the Declaration of Independency, to the contents of which papers due attention will be paid. Persons were some time ago appointed in the different Hundreds within this District, to receive the arms from those who had not signed the Association and enrolled in the Militia; but no returns have been made by them. Three guns only have been brought in, which have been delivered to Mantz's company; and the Committee offer it as their opinion, that very few guns will be got by way of loan, and that there is not the least probability of arming the Flying-Camp from this quarter but by purchase.

The Committee have often been applied to by the prisoners in the Tory Jail for an enlargement, on giving sufficient security not to depart the bounds which may be allotted them, and for their good behaviour; but they are doubtful whether they would be justified in complying with their request, and would be glad to be favoured with the opinion of your honourable Board; and as some of these prisoners are officers, whether they are not entitled to their parole, agreeable to the resolution of Congress respecting prisoners.

Yesterday, were brought to this place, under a guard from Burlington, fifteen officers, taken at St. John's, who are ordered by the Board of War to be kept here. Those who refuse to sign the parole are ordered to be confined in Jail. Three of them have signed, and the other twelve who refused to sign were last night sent to the Tory Jail, which we hope will occasion them in a short time to take the advantage allowed them. It is a dreadful place (but the best we have) to be confined in, and so crowded at present (being twenty-seven) that it may be dangerous to their health. The officers last mentioned find themselves; but it will be necessary to augment the guard, which will increase the expense; and the money sent to defray the charges of the prisoners being nearly expended, the Committee request that a further sum be sent by the first opportunity.

I am, gentlemen, your most obedient servant,

JOHN HANSON, Jun., Chairman.

To the Hon. the Council of Safety of Maryland.

COLONEL STRICKER TO SAMUEL CHASE.

Fredericktown, July 25, 1776.

SIR: I arrived here on Monday last, and have since seen divers of my recruiting parties, which have not been so successful as I could wish. The Flying-Camp and Militia's turning out hurts our recruiting much, although the four Captains appointed in this Province have already completed thirty men each. I could wish we had it in our power to inlist the men who have engaged in the Flying-Camp, as there are many of them who would willingly go with us.

The fifteen hundred and twenty dollars I received for the two Captains' bounty money for this County, shall make use of for purchasing blankets and arms, if you see proper, as the Captains had already received the full bounty money for the recruiting of their companies. I have already advanced fifty pounds to one of the Captains for the subsistence and expense money for raising the company, and I expect the others to call upon me for the same purpose.

Should be glad there might one of the companies of our battalion be a Rifle company, as I think I could arm them in this Province; for muskets, I am afraid we can get but few that are good here.

I shall esteem the favour of a reply, and to receive any further instructions you may please to favour me with, being the needful.

I remain, with compliments to the gentlemen the Delegates from this Province, sir, your most obedient servant,

GEORGE STRICKER, Lt. Colonel.

To Samuel Chase, Esq.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO GENERAL JOHNSON.

SIR: We have received your favour of the 22d, and are very glad that the Militia of Frederick are so ready to turn out on the present occasion. We think their service will not be wanting, for although there are many of the enemy's ships in Potomack, yet there are but few men in them, and those sickly and die fast. The Fowey and Otter, with about fifty sail of vessels, are still at St. George's. The Roebuck, with three ships, and a few small vessels, are as high up Potomack as Mattawoman, where, it is said, they are watering. We have already contracted for a large number of camp-kettles of iron and copper, and expect to procure some of tin.

If your brother's iron is suitable for casting guns, we would contract with you for fifty three-pounders, fifty four-pounders, and seventy-five swivels to carry one-pound balls. Captain Nicholson informs us, that the length of the swivels is not material; the three and four-pounders ought to be somewhat shorter than the common standard.

Should we find it necessary, we will hereafter give orders for the march of a battalion from Frederick County.

We are, with respect and esteem, yours, &c. To Brigadier-General Thomas Johnson.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO MAJOR PRICE.

SIR: You will make use of all or part of the cannon, as you see cause, taking care not to waste powder in vain.

Enclosed you have an order, which you will do everything in your power to enforce.

You should be particularly cautious in taking care to secure deserters; some of them, you may depend upon it, are spies. The negro you mention, that escaped from the guard, may have been sent on purpose to seduce the slaves in the neighbourhood.

Be pleased to inform us, from time to time, of material occurrences, as they happen. We have paid the express; and are, &c.

To Major Thomas Price.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO COMMITTEES OF DORCHESTER AND SOMERSET.

GENTLEMEN: We have ordered Captain John Gunby's company to march to Cambridge, in your County, and to be stationed where you may direct. We hope that company will be sufficient to protect you against tenders who may attempt to plunder. We are, &c.

To the Committees of Observation of Dorchester and Somerset Counties.