1 24 Journal and Correspondence

me late last night that John Murdock from George Town wrote
him by the Drummer that Dunmore was above or about S^t
Marys in his way up to Patomack and that they were there
preparing to receive him — but whether the, there related to
George Town or S^t Marys I cannot tell, possibly George Town,
this Intelligence I thought it my duty to Communicate.
When I was at Annapolis in December I received an order
from the Committee of Secrecy to keep what Powder & lead
I had for their use & they took an obligation from me so to
do till they ordered a person to view it when I was to have an
order for my Money. The Convention ordered Col^o Sim for
that purpose who sent here Mess^rs Crawford & Lee. they
saw it took samples, sent them to Annapolis were proved &
found good. Since then the same Gentlemen came here upon
some disturbance on Patomack and desired in the name of the
Committee of Observation that for safety it might be removed
under their inspection to Marlbro'. accordingly the next day
I examined and weighed it all, had it put into good tight bar-
rels well coopered, carefully packed with hay in trunks well
corded & sent to Marlbro' according to the Gentlemens direc-
tions, there the whole lies ready for removal and I desire to
be paid, for which reason I send the necessary papers &
authoritys. I have an immediate occasion for the money, or I
should not just now have sent. I apprehend the trunks and
cording are absolutely necessary for the safe keeping & trans-
portation, but if thought otherwise, I will very readily keep
them. I have been very exact and Careful in this Business
which I hope the Honourable Council will approve of.
At a time when there is so much to be done as I think would
employ every Zealous man I wonder to see so little stirring
hereabouts and my own busy head & fingers without a Task,
it is a very happy circumstance for me at this time, and I
rejoice that matters are in other and abler hands. My good
wishes and endeavours shall never be wanting on any occasion,
with the greatest Esteem and Respect I am Honorable Gen-
tlemen Your most faithful & obed^t Serv^t
Stephen West.

M^r Crawford this day examined the Powder & saw the lead
weighed of which he has given me a certificate annexed to this
order of the Committee of Secrecy my son will wait on you &
receive the money & take in my obligation of delivery if nec-
essary. S. W.

Original

[West to Burgess.]

Woodyard 30^th January 1776.
Sir. I wrote to you pretty fully from Frederick Town to
the care of M^r Sprigg and M^r Hall and wrote also to those