of the Council of Safety, 1775-76. 351

as he had been a soldier several years in the last war, I ima-
gined he must have been better quallified than any other per-
son I had the opportunity of getting at that time, however
found myself much deceaved for he was as ignorant as those
who had never seen a musket thrown in their lives, and sur-
prizingly awkward in every respect, and still continues so.
There are many young men in the company who are much
better qualified in every respect, and I believe as many so as
in any Company in the Province. M^r Hamilton is a poor man
and has a wife and several children, and no person to work for
them, but himself, therefore cannot make the appearance that
an Officer ought to make, is a person of no Education, neither
is he qualified in any respect whatever to keep company with
the other Gentlemen Officers, which is a material objection by
the Company, as they would not choose to serve under an
officer who could not keep company with, and be looked upon
by other officers but more particularly, as he is esteemed a
very improper person in other respects, and of more consi-
quence to those under him. There are other objections which
I do not choose to meddle with, yet I hope have said enough
to evince to you, how very displeasing he is to the Com-
pany, and the ill consequences that might arise, in case of
his appointment, and what I can with much truth and certainty
assure would come to pass (i. e.) the breaking up of a Com-
pany of much consiquence. Relying on your Honours wis-
dom in not appointing a person so disagreeable (as nothing
but my particular desire to have the Company kept together
and to be satisfy'd, could have induced me to write in this
manner) I remain with the utmost respect Gentlemen,
Your mo. obed^t hble. Serv^t
Andrew Beall.

[Maryland Deputies to Council.]

Gent. We moved yesterday in Congress, that the letter
referred to by M^r Johnson, should be immediately transmitted
to you that you might have an opportunity of vindicating your
Honour against the malitious charges made by the writer, this
produced a warm debate which lasted for several hours, we
insisted (and were supported by several Gentlemen) that the
letter containing the most severe reflections upon you as a
publick Body ought not to be concealed; that it was abso-
lutely necessary in the present state of our Affairs that the
Dignity of the Executives of every province should be sup-
ported if properly conducted and if there rested a suspicion
that any publick Body either from weakness or want of integ-

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