of the Council of Safety, 1775-76. 231

Defence into the river this morning and she has retaken M^r

Hudson's ship and now lies in the river a little below her,
under no great apprehension 1 fancy of the otter. We had
intelligence this afternoon that Squires had run on ground on
the Bodkin Point, I hope it may be true, if it should prove so
we may perhaps add one more ship to our stock. We are
getting a Tender ready that will mount 8 or 10 carriage guns
3 pounders she with the Defence will I think be a match for
the otter and her Companions. 1 am Positive Nicholson &
his ships Company think so, a set of finer or more spirited
fellows I really never saw, & if we can, as I hope we shall, get
the tender ready by to morrow mor^g they will push for an
engagement & I really am not in much doubt of success. I
cannot conceive that the council of safety can be prejudiced in
the opinions of the Gen^t of Baltimore by any insinuations
against their conduct by M^r Ruben or any other person, I
have not heard them say a single word against the Governm'
sending M^r Eddis on board the Otter (tho I confess I wish
some other person had been pitched upon) on the Contrary I
believe they think the delay occasioned by that step was advan-
tageous to them. I am sure I think it was very much so, I
really had myself extremely fatigued with this Constant Hurry
of Business, Indeed I am almost ready to sink under it, how-
ever I will push for Annapolis if possible the moment things
are settled here.
I am sincerely D^r Maj^r y^r affect. Hble Serv^t
Mount Clare March 9^th 1776 Charles Carroll
To the Honble Dan^l of S^t Thomas Jenifer Esq^r

[John to Richard Chew.]

Dear Brother. I am at my moth^s now moveing her furna-
ture there is a man of war at the mouth of the river and two
tenders. I hope you will let me know by a line how the case
is is with you my mother has sent a boy with six blancoats
From your affec^t Brother. John Chew.
March 9th 1776.

Peggy and child is well Mamas love to you all dont let
Lockey enrole.
To Cap^t Richard Chew.

[Report of Weem's Battalion.]

The return of the 31" Battalion under the Command of
Col^o John Weems now at London Town viz'

C. S. C.