MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO WORCESTER COUNTY COMMITTEE.

GENTLEMEN: We are informed that there are a number of pieces of cannon in your County that have lain there some years, ever since the Spanish wreck on the seaboard side of your County. We request you would immediately cause those cannon to be examined, and let us hear from you by express what state and condition they are in, and how many there are, and what weight of metal they would carry, as also who claims any property in them; and if anybody claims, under what contract or agreement they were purchased, and of whom. We expect your answer as soon as you conveniently can. We are, &c.

To the Committees of Observation of Worcester County.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO DELEGATES IN CONGRESS.

GENTLEMEN: The letters from Colonels Barnes and Jordan were not enclosed in our last, from inattention. We now send them, with copies of some other letters from below, from whence you will see how affairs are going on there.

Dunmore's fleet have separated. The Fowey and the Otter, with a number of vessels having the Tory families on board, remain in the mouth of St. Mary's River. The Roebuck and six or seven other vessels have moved up the river Potomack, as high as Quantico in Virginia, where they stopped to take in water. There are some flying reports of their having landed at Mr. William Brent's, and burnt his house, which are confirmed this day by Charles Lansdale. He says it is feared they are landing on Colonel Small-wood's estate. The last he heard of them was yesterday, and the report was, they were landing on the Maryland side, near Colonel Smallwood's.

We observe what you say about the Flying-Camp, and shall do the best we can. We shall give the necessary orders for finding the troops rations, in expectation that the subsistence-money will be reimbursed. As soon as the Regulars are replaced that have and are about to march to the northward, we shall use our endeavours to complete the remaining battalions with all diligence, and send them forward, either in battalions or companies, as they get ready. Most of those we have seen of the new-inlisted men, appear to be quite raw, and in great want of necessaries. Some pay must be advanced to put them in tolerable condition to appear in.

On Tuesday last, we gave orders to Captain Thomas to march with his men to Philadelphia, as soon as the commanding officer below thinks he can be spared. And this day, on receipt of your letter, we have ordered Captain Hindman to move forward, although we apprehend the Eastern-Shore will be weakened thereby, and we are doubtful that will be the next place invaded.

We feel for the State of New-York, but cannot help feeling also for Maryland, and shall endeavour to conduct ourselves in such manner as to give every assistance in our power to them and to the common cause, without exposing ourselves to destruction. Since the march of our Regulars, we are truly in a defenceless state, and if powerfully invaded, know not what may be the consequence. However, we hope for the best, and are exerting ourselves to the utmost.

We wish our powder that arrived at Egg-Harbour, to be sent to Baltimore. The arms we desire may be left at Philadelphia, for the use of one of the companies of the Flying-Camp, who will have our order to call for them.

We approve of what you have done as to the five thousand dollars, and would have you keep the balance to answer contingent expenses, and render account from time to time as you may see fit.

Doctor Tootle, our Surgeon-Major, has put into our hands a list of chirurgical instruments, which we send you herewith, and request the favour of you to procure and send them down by the first opportunity.

We send you also the proceedings of the last Convention.

Thomas Jennings, Esq., is just arrived, in good health, after a very long passage. He left London the 29th of March, and brings no very particular news that we hear.

We are, &c.

To the Deputies for Maryland in Congress.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO JOSIAS BEALL.

SIR: Yours of the 24th instant was laid before us, and we observe the contents. In answer thereto we can only say that five quarter-barrels of powder have been sent to Piscataway, and that six or seven barrels are now lodged with the Committee of Prince George's County. If more be necessary, we will order some down. It gives us sincere pleasure to find the people in different parts of the Colony so spirited, and can assure you nothing shall be wanted on our parts. We are, &c.

To Josias Beall, Esq., Prince George's County.

MARYLAND COUNCIL. OF SAFETY TO JOHN HANSON.

SIR: The instructions from the Council of Safety (as you will observe) only respected muskets; but we desire you will purchase rifles upon the best terms you can. Be pleased likewise to pay for those purchased by Captain Mantz; and by the first opportunity we shall order and send you any money you may find necessary.

We are, &c.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO JAMES TILGHMAN.

SIR: The business before this Board daily becomes more important, and consequently requires as full a Council as may be. We hope, therefore, before this reaches you, that your line with your cousin is settled, and that it will not be inconvenient for you to attend your brethren immediately. We are the more earnest in making this requisition, as Colonel Plater intends to St. Mary's in a few days, and then we shall be left with only four members. Mr. Smith pleads the necessity of staying at his ship-yard about the building of the gondola, in excuse for his non-attendance; and Mr. Hands has resigned his seat. We are, &c.

To James Tilghman, Esq.

MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY TO BALTIMORE COMMITTEE.

GENTLEMEN: The alacrity shown by your Committee in exerting itself in the common cause in which we are all engaged, it is hoped, will be attended with the success it merits, and which is so exceedingly necessary at this alarming and important juncture of time, as without arms and blankets little prospect of a favourable campaign can arise, if the troops were ever so numerous.

Agreeable to your request, therefore, and to expedite the business, we have transmitted to you, by Captain Yates, the £1000, the disposal of which you will be pleased to render us an account.

No account has yet been sent to this Board of the expenditure of the £1000 advanced at the time of the alarm occasioned by the Otter; omitted, we suppose, through the hurry of business, and therefore desire you will furnish it by the first opportunity. We are, &c.

To the Committee of Observation of Baltimore County.

PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS TO GENERAL WASHINGTON.

Friday, July 26, four o'clock, P. M.

SIR: Congress being adjourned, I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 25th instant, this moment come to hand. The subject of it is so just, that I will venture to say that it will be complied with in its fullest latitude.

The preamble to the resolutions for confiscating the property of the subjects of the King of Great Britain having been this day expunged, and the resolution altered, agreeable to the one now enclosed you, I am to request you will please to erase that from the resolves I enclosed you a few days past, and substitute the one I now transmit in its place.

With every wish in your favour, and every sentiment of esteem, I am, sir, your very humble servant,

JOHN HANCOCK, President,

P. S. Brigadier-General Sullivan this day sent me a letter of resignation, which is ordered to lie on the table until Monday. I have not yet seen him.