460 Journal and Correspondence

C. S. C.

also not fail to give orders to the ship, that she shall commit
no hostilities at Annapolis whilst on that service, but as no
officer in his Majestys service can be supposed to suffer
patiently the smallest insult to be offered to the British colours,
it will be necessary for you to inform the Persons that assume
the Government of the People, that if the peace, is not as
strictly observed on the part of the Provincials, both with
regard to the Boats, as well as the ship, during the time it
may be necessary for her to stay on the coasts of Maryland,
that any orders which I may think proper to issue for the pur-
pose, will not restrain the Captain of the ship from acting as
he shall think proper and necessary upon the occasion: Had
I not received your letter, you would certainly have heard from
me in a few days, to have acquainted you, that His Excellency
the Earl of Dunmore & myself, with the joint forces under our
command left Norfolk on the 23^d Ins^t and put into this Har-
bour on the 28^th in order to compleat our wood & water, where
we at present remain. I have the honor to be Dear Sir your
most obedient humble servant,
A. S. Hamond.
To Rob^t Eden Esq^r Gov^r of Maryland :

No. 9.

[Council to Baltimore Committee.]

To the Committee of Obsⁿ for Balt^o Cot^y
Gentⁿ We received intelligence this morning by the Gov-
ernor's Secretary who is just returned from the Roebuck off
Gwinn's Island that the whole fleet which left Norfolk, consist-
ing of about 90 sail was arrived at Gwins Island, that they
had land their men and were intrenching themselves; that
they found a large supply of fresh provisions on the said
Island, that no ships of war were coming up the Bay only the
one for the Governor which may be expected in five or six
days. I am Gentⁿ
June 2^d 1776

[Nicholson to Council.]

Ship Defence off Annapolis June 1^st 1776.
Gentl" I Received yours this morning p^r Middleton, and
ordered him down on the Lookout, I have not discovered any
thing of the ships since I left them off Windmill point but
apprehend should they intend up the Bay you will certainly
hear of them this Evening; I am now proceeding with the
Ship up to Baltimore, where shall expect your further orders,
I am Gentlemen, Y^r most oblidged Hum^l Serv^t
Gen^l James Nicholson