of the Council of Safety, 1775-76. 221

[J. A. Thomas to Council.]

Leonard Town 8^th March 1776.
Gen^t On Tuesday last in the afternoon I received advice
that three armed vessels were in and near the mouth of
Patuxent, that one of them had taken a vessel laden with
Flour bound to Casco Bay. On the above notice (as soon as
it was possible) we marched down to the mouth of Patuxent
but before we could do any thing we were obliged to borrow
all the arms from one Company of the militia and those but
very indifferent indeed so bad that twould be cruel to set men
to work with them the company from whom I borrowed the
arms are at this moment in the greatest want of them, as we
have certain intelligence of a man of War a large armed sloop
being at this time riding in Potomac. The militia are thro
this county in a most defenceless state, and my Company if
possible in a much worse one. I have therefore sent M^r
Steward up to you requesting to have the arms allotted for us,
if you have them not, M^r Steward says he can purchase them,
besides the arms we want more ammunition, and it is impos-
sible to do any thing without them, This County being so par-
ticularly circumstanced I intreat you to allow M^r Steward to
look out for arms for us, under the exigency of affairs I sub-
mit it whether twould not be better to form my company into
two and make them sixty eight non Com^d officers, privates,
with the proper Com^d officers. If you should approve of this
arrangement, I would take the Liberty to recommend to your
notice, two young Gen^t who have entered Cadets in my Com-
pany and who will' fill (in my opinion) it very well the stations
of third Lieutenants. I have stationed half my Company at
the mouth of Patuxent, and half (as soon as quarters can be
got) will be stationed at the mouth of Potomac this will put it
out of the power of M^r Ford, to provide for them. I have
therefore contracted for a considerable quantity of Pork and
Bread which will serve the men on Patuxent a month or more,
and M^r Neal goes off directly to the mouth of Potomac to get
Provisions and quarters for the troops there. As the exigency
of affairs would not permit me to consult you I have in every
step that I have yet taken consulted the principal Gen^t of the
place who have unanimously agreed to the steps that I have
taken, but if they are judged by you to be improper I beg to
be immediately advised and you may rely that every order
from you shall be strictly complied with: I mentioned in my
last the necessity of having a horse for expresses and any
other uses, I now see the necessity more than ever, the hiring
of horses is attended with great delay, and frequently not to be
got, I therefore request that you will let me purchase one I
know the public will be advantaged by it. I also mentioned

C. S. C.