of the Council of Safety, 1775-76. 389

Q. What conversation passed on Sunday night.
A. I was shewed the let^rs from Sec^y of State, they were
very busy in making copies to send to congress they enjoined
me to secrecy.
Q. Who were there.
A. M^r Buchanan, M^r Nicholson &c.
Q. What time was it, when you first saw S. P. Inst^ns
drawn up :
A. On Monday ab^t Dinner. I did not wish to throw my
reflections upon the Council by my acquiescence. I imagined
Gentⁿ of Com^ee would have apply^d to C. of S. for Instructions.
Upon reflection I'm convinced the Com^ee had no power to
issue such orders:

Examination of Cap^t Smith :

Q. Had you any part^r Instrut^s how to execute the orders
from M^r P.
A. He had some conversation w^t M^r P. about the orders

some time before he del^d the Instruct^s

Q. Did you apprehend the instructions were to be shown
to the Co. of S.
A. I did but as I was not admitted in the Co. had not an
oppt^y of showing them. That M^r Reynolds informed Cap^t
Smith that he was to act according to the orders he had rec^d
he was enjoined to secrecy or would have shewn his orders to
the Col.
Q. Had you any Verbal orders from M^r P. or any one else.
A. I had not.

Q. Did you consult the Dep. from Balt, before you came
to the Co.
A. He waited on the deputation very early in the morn^g
they informed him, what the Co. had determined, advised him
not to shew his Instruct^s to the Col. produced a representation
of his conduct & promised a copy to the Co :

C. S. J.

[Council to Nicholson.]

To Captⁿ James Nicholson.
Sir. We consider the Schooner Resolution to be fitted out
only as a Tender for the Ship Defence and therefore have
given you Directions to put Officers on board out of your own
Ship as you may think best for the public Service.
26th Apr^l 1776.

C. S. C.

No. 132.