Correspondence re: William Court's desired commission in the First Maryland Regiment, 1775-1776

Samuel Love (Picawaxon) to William Smallwood (Annapolis), 26 December 1775
Red Book 12, p. 120

As I expected Regular Troops would be Raised in this province at the present meeting of the Convention, I spoke to you at Porttobacco immediately after the election of our Field Officers. To use your interest in giting a commission for Billey Courts in the Service if any Troops should be Raised here, but as you was there in a great Hurray am fearfull you have forgot it as I have heard nothing from [you]. Am now informed that three battalions is to be Raised in this province. Billey is anxious to be in the service, therefore must beg the favour of you to use your Interest for him, if it is not too late, and inform me by next post. He will come immediately up should it be Necessary. In the mean time if it is not Inconvenient shall be glad you'll make application for him, and let me know when he should come up. His property you know is very Considerable which should be one inducement for the Convention to prefer him, and am persuaded his Conduct will be Such as will be of Service to the Cause and a Credit to his particular friends. A Lieutenancy he will be well satisfied with and not wish to be higher at present. Hope you'll Excuse this Trouble and know me to be

Dear sir, your most Humble servant
Samuel Love

Samuel Love (Picawaxon) to Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer, 21 March 1776
Red Book 12, p. 7

The Bearer hereof, my son-in-law and ward, come up to offer himself a volunteer in the service of his County. When the last troop was raised he made application for a Commission, but as his particular friends were not of the convention at the time of appointing the officers he then failed. Should there be any more troops Raised in the Provence (which at present appears but too Certain) as I have Reason to believe his behavour will be such as will intitle him to your good opinion, shall hope for my own Friendship towards procuring him a Commission in the Army. You know his effort is considerable, which am persuaded will be one weighty Reason with those in power in the Choice of officers, I can assure you be a young man of sober and humane disposition with a frame of mind capable of great improvement and flatter myself will not want spirit on the present occation. Any friendship you may think proper to favour him with in his promotion in the Continental or provincial service, will meet with due esteem and thankful acknowledgement from

Honourable Sir your most Humble servant
Samuel Love

N.B. Billey Courts brings with him a small sum of Gold that I have procured since that remitted by general Dent, for which you will [] give him other money.

William Courts (Annapolis) to Convention of Maryland, 20 June 1776
Red Book 19, p. 10

Having applied to the Covention, in January last, for a commission in the Forces then raised for the defense of this province, and my application then proving unsuccessful through the means, as I apprehend, of the Indisposition of Col. Smallwood, who was to have recommended me to your Honours. Anxious of showing my zeal for the love of my Country, I entered myself as a Cadet; and as I have been at a considerable expense in the support of myself in that character, and being informed that there are several vacancies in the Battalion, and that your Honours hath it under consideration to raise more Troops for the use of the United Colonies, I take this Opportunity of applying to your Honours, in hopes that you will take this my memorial into your Consideration, and grant to your Memorialist a Commission in the Troops already raised, or those which are to be raised; submitting the rank of such Commission wholly to your Honours. Should your Honours be in any doubt with respect to my conduct since a Cadet, I pray you to enquire of Captain John H. Stone, which Gentleman will, I doubt not, give such account of me as will seem to your Honours worthy of a Commission, when I assure you my ambition does not lead me to wish to Command a Company.

I am Gentleman with the greatest respect
Your Most Obedient Servant
William Courts

William Courts (Annapolis) to Council of Safety, 6 July 1776
Red Book 19, p. 11

Having applied to the Convention in January last for a Commission in the forces then raising for the Defence of this province, and that application not meeting wit [sic] success, I immediately, on the knowledge of my disappointment, determined to serve my Country at all events, and within ten days after the forming of the Battalion entered a Cadet in Capt. Stone's Company. My private affairs calling me into Virginia prevented my attending the Battalion sooner. I being informed that there are several vacancies now in the Battalion, and that your Honours have power to fill up the same, And being advised that it is the intention of this board, to prefer the cadets, and sergeants of equal merit, in preference to any others, most humbly beg leave to remind your Honours, as I am the second Cadet in the Battalion, that I may not escape your notice, if you Honours think my merit deserving of a Commission. I would not be though to soliciet [sic] the Board for a Commission from lucrative motives, having a sufficient estate to support me in ease and quiet. Did I not feel an ambition to serve my Country in the Army.

Under these circumstances I am prompted to troubled your Honours, Hoping that if my conduct since a Cadet (on enquery) merit a Commission, I may be favoured with one in that part of the Battalion stationed here.

I am, Gentleman, with respect,
your most obedient humble servant
William Courts