324 Journal and Correspondence

ought for which reason am very desirous of getting Arms &
Blankets to remove to my station.
I am Gentlⁿ Your most obd^t h^ble Serv^t
James Hindman

Original.

[Ray and others to Council.]

Bladensburgh 10^th April 1776.
Gentlemen. As we would not willingly interfere with any
person's private Character unless obliged so to do on a matter
of the utmost consequence, which in the present case we are
under the necessity of doing, so far as is consistant with our
opinions and safety; yet far be it from us, and sorry indeed
we should be to do the smallest injustice to any person what-
ever, nor will we in any respect condesend to do it. We are
apprehensive that M^r William Hamilton may be appointed
Captain in place of Captain Andrew Beall, by the- recom-
mendation of Col^o Joshua Beall through prejudice to our late
Captain, who would not condesend to serve as Captain under
him. There has been great confusion in the Company since
our Captain resign'd, and it will be much more so if Hamilton
should be appointed Captain, as a great majority of the Com-
pany are determined not to serve under him, he not being a
proper person in any respect whatever for that office; and
sensible we are, in the event of his being appointed (should it
so happen) that a Company inferior to none in the Province,
in the Militia, must inevitably come to nothing, wholly from
the dislike they have of his filling that station: We therefore
hope, and entreat your honours, not to be the cause of dis-
troying so good a Company, which you might innocently be
induced to by the recommendation of the Colonel, but we
trust, that you will take the matter into your serious consid-
eration, and reflect that we are free people, and have a right,
to the choice of our own Officers, under whom we are to risque
our lives and fortunes with theirs, which we will most chear-
fully and readily do when ever called upon, provided we have
Officers agreeable, and such only we will obey. We therefore
pray your honours would gratify us in granting a Commission
to M^r Andrew Beall Jun^r as our Captain in place of his Father,
a young man that we choose in preference to any man in the
Company, and who is Balloted in by a great majority, having
thirty odd votes out of fifty, and there were four candidates.
And we further entreat you, to give us the liberty of choosing
our other officers, which will give great satisfaction to the