of the Council of Safety, 1775-76. 227

shall not on that score awaken any body till morn^g The Elk
Ridge Battalion came in late this evening, I was raised at one
oClock to receive a letter from Col^o Lee which I sent off at
that Hour by a person who would convey it directly to Cap^t
Nicholson. I let him know that the Committee had determ^d
to fit out the Sch^r we talked of I hoped to have her ready to
sail by 2 oClock & that our main design in it was to strengthen
him with a fresh reinforcem^t of hands should he be weakened
by taking & manning any of the tenders or Hudsons ship.
I thought it of much import" that Nicholson should immediately
know of our intention to strengthen him. I recomm^d to him
to tow all night in order if possible to be up or nearly so with
Hudsons ship before day light, lest the tenders seeing him
coming might have time to escape him. I am perfectly satis-
fied from every thing I have heard of the Otter, that Nicholson
is very capable of taking her, if he can.be so lucky as to catch
the largest sloop of which I think there is the greatest proba-
bility. I have not a doubt we can have o^r selv^s ready in the
time I ment^d & to have her well mand with brave Fellows
I am D^r Sir
Y^r very hble Serv^t Sam^l Purviance Jun^r

The Brass Field Pieces for Virg^a are come & I shall detain
them at least one day till the matter is nearer issue :
To the Hon^l Charles Carroll Esq^r

C. S. C.

[Baltimore Committee to Council.]

Baltimore 9 oClock Saturday Night
Gentlemen. We have just received an Express from Cap^t
Nicolson that he had retaken M^r Hudsons ship with every
thing on board safe, and that he was taking out some of the
Flour in the retaken vessels, 5 in number, and we also sent 2
vessels more to lighten her, so that we hope to have the ship
up tomorrow. We have also taken other expresses who left
North Point at 4 oClock & sunset with advice that the Otter
stood down the bay with her Tenders & 4 Prizes about 4
oClock, as she has been disappointed here, its probable she
may call on you, & therefore we send you the quickest intelli-
gence; as this menuvre may be a feint to deceive us, we shall
not relax a moment in making every preparation to repel their
attempts. We are fitting out a Sch^r of 8 guns which will be
ready by 12 oClock tomorrow to assist Cap^t Nicolson in case
of need. We have much pleasure in informing you of the
readiness and alacrity of the Militia to march to our assistance.
The present confusion has prevented making up the accot^s of
our expenditure of the money for the Fortification, and there-

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