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of the Council of Maryland. 351
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Batteries of two eighteen Pounders erected on each Side of the
Mouth of Robert's Creek would effectually cover and protect. We
have dispatched a fast sailing Boat to the Commodore for the purpose
of reconnoitering and gaining Intelligence.
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March 14
Liber No. 78
p. 88
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If any Militia should be necessary to cooperate with your Troops
they shall be ordered out as soon as we have such an Information
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p. 89
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[Council to Mr. Donaldson Yeates.]
Last Night all the Transports from Elk got into this Harbour and
this Morning at Day light two Ships appeared off here and are at
Anchor. Measures are taking by mounting Cannon and landing the
Troops to oppose any Designs of the Enemy, if they should prove
such and securing the Transports and Stores. Commodore Nicholson
is gone off to reconnoitre, we expect him to return in an Hour, the
Marquis had Intelligence of these Ships and is perhaps pursuing his
Journey by Land. Vessels coming down the Bay should be on their
Guard since writing the above Commodore Nicholson is returned
and informs that they are British Ships, the smallest of eighteen Guns
and the largest of twenty eight Guns, they are now under an easy
Sail, the smallest Ship is run up the Bay out of Sight, the other
following. Their Designs seem to have been to intercept our Trans-
ports and Troops, and more perhaps to continue in the Neighbour-
hood to ravage the Shores and keep the Troops confined in the
Harbour.
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Ibid.
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[Council to His Excellency Samuel Huntington Esqr.]
We have the Honor to inform your Excellency that the transport
Vessels from the Head of Elk with Troops on Board commanded
by the Marquis De la Fayette arrived yesterday Evening in this
Harbour, by Day light two ships appeared at Anchor off the Mouth
of the River supposed to be the Enemy and their Intention to inter-
cept the Transports. Effectual Measures are taken for their Security.
The Vessels supposed to be the Enemy are under way and stretching
up the Bay of Chesepeak, we thought it necessary to communicate
this Intelligence, and if any Thing material occurs shall immediately
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Ibid.
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transmit it. Since writing the above Commodore Nicholson has
returned from reconnoitering the Ships and discovers one of them
to be a Sloop of eighteen Guns and the other to be a Frigate of twenty
eight, the Commodore supposes they will either continue to block up
the Harbour or being disappointed in their original Designs will
return to their Stations down the Bay.
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p. 90
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[Council to Major Meriken.]
This Day about one a Clock two British Ships of about eighteen
and twenty eight Guns passed by this Place, and we are apprehensive
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Ibid.
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