of the Council of Safety, 1775-76. 143

Article we stand much in need of and that the Convention, to
relieve our present Necessity, had agreed to take five tons of
that made at Philadelphia for the Salt Petre lately imported in
part of what we were to have had from those Gentlemen; we
shall be obliged if you will know of them when we may expect
the five Tons and what prospect they have of procuring the
rest contracted for by them and favour us with their Answer.
While the convention was sitting M^r Samuel Purviance sent
down two Depositions to the purpose of what you mention in
your last; the subject was considered by the Convention and
it was resolved that no further notice should be taken of the
Affair and that the proceedings should be kept secret; we
suppose the two depositions sent you by M^r Purviance are in
substance the same and we cannot but think it extraordinary
that he should presume to trouble you with a matter that had
been agitated and settled in Convention. If it be not too much
trouble we request you will send us copies of them and a copy
of his Letter enclosing them to you.

C. S. J.

[Council to Virginia Committee.]

To the Committee of Safety of Virginia.
Gentlemen :
We are much obliged by your favour of the 27^th ult^o and
shall most cheerfully cooperate with you in every Measure that
may contribute to our mutual Defence against the invaders of
our reciprocal Rights that may be in our power; and shall
also be happy in keeping up a constant intimate correspond-
ence which our common cause at this time renders necessary.
Our Inexperience in naval preparations, prevents us at
present from either approving or disapproving your plan of
Row-Gallies for the protection of Potowmack river. We have
a ship which we call the Defence that mounts 22 six Pounders,
besides Swivels and will be ready to proceed to her Station by
the first of March. She will cruise in the Bay and the Captain
shall have orders to contribute every thing in his Power to the
common Defence on all Occasions. The Powder necessary
for this Ship and for Fortifications which we are building will
diminish our Stock so much as to prevent us from attempting
an Increase of our Marine till we receive a supply of that
necessary Article more than sufficient for our Troops & Militia
on whom we chiefly rely for protection and when this happens
we shall advise you of it.
We have adventured very extensively to procure Arms and
Ammunition, but are fearful from the Advices that we have
lately received, our Endeavours will not be attended with the
Success we wished and had reason to hope for.

No. 10.