of the Council of Safety, 1775-76. 199

with the rest of the field officers of said Batt^a and we unani-
mously agreed to recommend M^r William Ritchie as a man
well calculated to fill up the place if he should meet with your
approbation we pray that a Commission may Issue and be
transmitted with the above. C. B.

[Petition of Frederick Company.]

To the Council of Safety of Maryland.
The' petition of Sundry the freeholders and Inhabitants of
Frederick County who compose the Company to which Col^o
Charles Beatty was formerly elected Captain and Col^o Baker
Johnson first Lieutenant the removal of whom to their present
appointments have occasioned vacancys. We theretore to
render the Company compleat, and that it may exercise in
Batalion as directed by the resolves of the convention have
gone into a choice of officers to fill the vacancies above men-
tioned and have appointed M^r John Adlum Captain John Fer-
guson first Lieutenant, Christian Weaver second Lieutenant
and Thomas Beatty Ensign. If those gentlemen meet with
your approbation, of which we have but little doubt, we hope
that Commissions may issue and be transmitted to Col. Charles
Beatty by the first opportunity. Signed p^r order,
William Ritchie Clk.

C. S. C.

[Hanson to Council.]

Frederick Town March 3^d 1776.
Gentlemen Yours of the 2^d February came to hand a few
days ago inclosing a resolve of the Congress respecting the
Collection of Gold and Silver in this province together with
your appointment of myself and others to collect the same in
this County. I am sorry to acquaint you that it is not in my
power to render the Public any Service in that way on the
terms proposed — no one being willing to part with their Gold
& Silver without receiving the paper immediately in Exchange
Any orders your Honours may at any time think proper to
Intrust me with shall always be Complyed with as far as may
be in the power of Gentlemen
Your most Hble Serv^t
John Hanson J^r

Original.

Annapolis Monday 4th March 1776.

Present of the Council, M^r Hall, M^r Smyth and M^r Hands.
A sufficient number of Members to compose a Council not
having met, they adjourned till next Day 9 O'Clock.

C. S. J.