164 Journal and Correspondence

C. S. J.

said Contractor against any extraordinary Expence, Loss of
Provisions that may happen from Seizure or Destruction by
the Enemy, unless it should be occasioned by the negligence
or Carelessness of the said Contractor, and to settle Accounts
monthly.
Adjourned till next Day 10 o'Clock.

Original.

[Alexander to Council.]

Gen^t I send you inclosed Copies of the Instructions & pri-
vate Signals of the several Men of War & Transports on the
American Station, as these may be of essential Service to the
different armed Vessels now fitting out in America, Copies by
order of Congress have been transmitted to the different Col-
onies, and I am ordered by Congress to acquaint you, that as
they have bound themselves to Secrecy, so it is expected that
you will consider yourselves under the like Tie, and the Copy
you deliver to the Cap^t of your armed Vessel, be under Seal
inclosed, to be opened after his sailing.
The public Papers will communicate all the Intelligence
We have, except the arrival of 20 Tons of Powder and 3000
Stand of small arms in Connecticut, we shall send forward
some Powder & arms to your Province but I am sorry to say
if we rely on foreign arms & they are not better than the
sample we have, our dependance will be like a broken reed, as
I think if used, they will kill more of our Troops than the
Enemy, what those imported for our Province cost I know not
a parcel imported here on a private Adventure, have been
purchased by Congress at £3. 25, every thing of this kind is
exceeding high powder £17. 10 p C^t much of this Business
passes through a Committee of which I am a Member.
Patriotism sinks before private Interest, and I find many men
here who rank themselves in that Class, generally exact^g the
most from the necessity of their Country hence the Publick is
plundered. We have sent off 10 6 pounders for the Ship, &
shall purchase 2 more. Congress have appointed a Deliga-
tion to Canada, the persons are Docf Franklin, S. Chase &
M^r Carroll of Carrollton. I wish you would erect a Powder
Mill in your Province, I could procure you salt petre. Y^r Le^ts
of the 1. 8. 9 & 10 Ins^t are come to hand & the Contents shall
be observed. I am with Respect Gen^l y^r Hble. Serv^t
Phil^a 16 Feb^y 1776. R.Alexander.

C. S. C.

[Admiralty Circular.]

Treasury Chamber Oct 19^th 1775
Sir. Herewith you will receive directions for proper signals
to enable you to know any of his Majestys vessels belonging