of the Council of Safety, 1775-76. 165

to the squadron in America which you may happen to fall in
with on the coast of America. You are to take care to keep
such signals as private as possible and when you quit his maj-
estys service as a store ship or transport; you are to deliver
up the paper directing the signals to the admiral or com-
mander in chief of the fleet in America, proper orders are
sent to his majestys ships on that station, and by a strict
observance of these rules you will perfectly distinguish your
friends from any foes. You are take care not to go into Boston
or any other port in America until you shall meet with some
of his majestys ships who can conduct you in, direct you to the
place where the Army is, and assure you that it is a port of
Safety.
I am sir your most obedient humble Servant
John Robinson
(Copy)
Private signals for knowing each other, to be observed by
the ships and vessels under the command of the admiral com-
manding in chief in America :
By Day. The ship to Windward shall lower down her Fore-
topsail, which the ship to Leeward shall answer by lowering
down the maintopsail. Then the ship to Windward shall hoist
an english Jack at her maintopmast head which the ship to
Leeward shall answer by hoisting an English Jack at her fore-
topmast head. Then both ships shall hoist their proper
colours.
By Night. The ship to Windward shall hoist four lights
where they can be best seen one over the other. The ship to
Leeward to hoist four lights abreast of each other where they
can be best seen. Then the ship to Windward to burn one
false fire, and the other to burn two. These signals to be kept
as private as possible.
Php. Stephens adm^y office 22 Sept^r 1775 (Copy)

C. S. C.

[Beatty & Johnson to Council.]

Frederick Town Feb^y 16^th 1776
Gentlemen. By a resolve of the late convention, there is to
be sums of money transmitted to the Committees of observa-
tion in the respective Counties to defray the expenses of the
several minute Companies, Cap^t Strickers demands by a
special order of the Convention are discharged. Cap^t Youngs
and Cap^t Goods remain otherwise, some of the men in those
companies are anxious to have what is due, and we believe the
captains have an uneasy time of it if business will admit you
to attend to this matter, and you will have the money sent up

Original.