of the Council of Safety, 1775-76. 295

[Council to Barrister Carroll.]

To Charles Carroll Esq^r (Barrister).
D^r Sir. We send you inclosed a Letter to the Committee
of Observation for Baltimore County, if you approve, seal it
and send it to them. Since Writing we have seen M^r Lux
and have had some Conversation with him about the Com-
mittee's detaining the two Vessels belonging to Hugh Young,
one intended to bring us Arms and Ammunition, the other
Salt. Young tells us that the first has been unloaded & is
kept with Intention to sink as a Hulk, and that the other is
employed in bringing in Ship Timber for the Frigate now
building; no Consent of his, and contrary to the express Order
of the Council of Safety of the 20^th Instant.
We wish to have this affair cleared up to our Satisfaction.
M^r Lux knows Nothing of the Matter. We request you
would converse with some of the Committee and let us know
how every Thing has been conducted. T. Smyth is going to
the Eastern Shore on Friday or Saturday; the Meeting of the
adjourned Provincial Court next week, and a day appointed
for hearing the Elk Ridge Petition prevents our coming to
Baltimore; we wish to have both yourself and Colo. Rumsey —
without you there will be no Meeting of the Council of Safety
on Monday. Pray send an Express to Rumsey to let him
know our Situation. J. Tilghman goes off to the Eastern
Shore on Munday or Tuesday.
27^th March 1776

[Paine to Council.]

To the hon^ble Convention or Council of Safety of the Colony of
Maryland.

Gentlemen. The Congress taking into consideration the
urgent importance to the Safety freedom & wealth of the
United Colonies, that the manufacture of Salt petre & gun
powder should be established in all of them, in addition to
their former resolves on that subject, have passed those here-
with transmitted & appointed the Committee therein men-
tioned, in persuance of this trust the committee inclose you
the resolves, & being deeply impressed with their importance
to our common cause, think themselves in duty bound to urge
upon you the immediate & vigorous execution of them the
erecting public works as mentioned in the resolves, will be the
first step to promote this useful business, if prosecuted with
skill & diligence it will ensure the making Salt petre in large
quantities & will also afford the best method for suitable per-

C. S. C.

No. 94.