of the Council of Safety, 1775-76. 303

to you for tak^g the schooner Peggy, & sending her for plank
for the privateer. I'm sorry you should so far misunderstand
me as to put such a construction on my words, as I did not
mean any such thing. I dare say Mess^rs Smith & Hall on
reflection will recollect all that passed relative to that vessel
viz,. That I immagined you would not look upon our contract
immediately binding, as she had been taken to carry plank on
account of the public, their answer was, By no means. I have
however got her again & shall begin to load agreeable to our
contract in a few days. I am Gen^t y^r ob^t H ble Serv^t
Hugh Young.

If you are writing to the committee, I shall be much pleased
by your clearing up this matter as they seem much vexed
about it.

C. S. C.

Tuesday 2^d April 1776.

Council met. Present as yesterday. M^r Carroll and M^r
Hall attended.

Ordered That the Treasurer of the Western Shore pay to
M^r Robert Cummins fifteen hundred Pounds.
Ordered That the said Treasurer pay to M^r John Campbell
three Pounds for nails.
Copy of Letter N^o 102 was sent to the Committee of Obser-
vation for St. Mary's County, and Copy of N^o 103 to Cap^t
John Allen Thomas.
Commission issued to Matthew Talbott appointed Ensign
of Cap^t Stewart's Company of Militia in Harford County.
Adjourned till next Day 10 O'Clock.

C. S. J.

[Council to St. Mary's Committee.]

To the Committee of Observation for Saint Mary's County.
April 2^{nd 1} 776.
Gentⁿ We have heretofore wrote you with Regard to the
Station of Cap^t John Allen Thomas's Company, not receiving
any answer we expected the Station allotted him at Leonard-
Town would have been agreeable to you and to him; and
indeed to every Body else, as being the most centrical Place,
and from whence the Company might march on short Notice
to any Part of the County. He informed us by his Letter of
the 18^th of March, "that he is positive that 'tis the Opinion of
every Gentleman in the County that the Troops should be
stationed at or near the Mouth of Patuxent and Potowmack":
which we are surprized at. This would not only divide the

C. S. C.

No. 102.