350 Journal and Correspondence

C. S. C.

Day delivered to us: we were furnished with the intercepted

Letters some Time before the Receipt of your's, and had taken
such Measures, as in our Judgment were competent to the
Occasion. To dissolve the Government and subvert the Con-
stitution by the Seisure and Imprisonment of the Governeur,
we conceived to be a Measure of too much Delicacy and Mag-
nitude to be adopted without calling and consulting the Con-
vention of this Province: we saw no Necessity urging us to
such an Extreme, and were therefore determined not to expose
the Province to immedate Anarchy and Convulsion, if an
Assurance could be obtained from the Governor, that he
would not depart before our Convention met to decide upon
this important Business. He cheerfully gave us this Assur-
ance and that we feel no Apprehensions of Danger from him.
Under these Circumstances we cannot comply with the
Request of Congress in any other Manner than we have done,
and flatter ourselves they will rest satisfied and consider us
excusable.
We have apprehended M^r Ross and shall keep him in Cus-
tody and examine him fully.
Permit us, Sir, to assure you that we are determined to
maintain the Rights and Liberties of this Country at every
Hazard of life and Property, and will vigorously procure every
Measure which the defence of America shall require.
To J. Hancock Esq^r
Presd^t of Congress.

Original.

[A. Beall to Council.]

Bladensburgh 18^th April 1776.
Gentlemen. It is with reluctance I take up my pen to
address you on a matter I would wish to be silent on, was I
not urged to do it by the strongest entreaties of a Company
inferiour to none in the province, whom I respect, and who I
have the highest satisfaction in obliging. My resigning has
thrown the Company into great confusion and concern for fear
M^r William Hamilton, my first Lieutenant, should take place
as Captain, who they look upon not to be worthy, or in any
respect proper for that office; but perhaps may be recom-
mended by the Colonel through prejudice to me, as I would
not condescend to serve under him; if it so happens that he
should be appointed Captain, it will be the utter distruction of
the Company, as they are determined not to serve under him.
I would not willingly interfere with this Gentlemans private
character, therefore shall only relate the matter to your
Honours how he came to be appointed Lieutenant, which was,