362 Journal and Correspondence

Benjⁿ Nicholson were ordered to enquire for and secure said
Ross's Papers, which they accordingly did, and report, that
M^r Grant informed them, the said Papers were deposited in a
Closet in his House, which he shewed to them, and which
these Gentlemen then sealed up without seeing or examining
said Papers.

In Congress 15 April 1776

Resolved, That the Council of Safety of Maryland be
requested to cause the Person and Papers of Alexander Ross
to be immediately siezed and secured, and that the Papers be
sent safely to Congress

And to prevent the said Alexander Ross having any Oppor-
tunity to escape Resolved, That the like Request be made to
the Committees of Observation for Baltimore and Frederick
Counties in Maryland, in one of which Counties the said Ross
now probably is

(Extract from the Minutes) Cha^s Thompson Sec^y

In Congress. Ordered to be transmitted to the Committee
of Baltimore. John Hancock Presid'

Please to convey a Copy to the Committee of Frederick
A Copy of said Resolution of Congress was also sent to the
Committee of Frederick County by the Post,

At a Meeting of the Committee 20 April 1776.

Present William Lux Chairman

Ja^s Calhoun W^m Buchanan John Smith John Merryman.

Benj. Griffith Tho^s Harrison John Boyd

The Committee being informed, that certain Instructions
were given by M^r Sam^l Purviance as Chairman to Cap^t Sam^l
Smith, which did not appear on their minutes, they sent for
Cap^t Smith & requested him to attend the Committee with
the Instructions he had received, he accordingly attended and
produced them, and they are as follows.

[printed on page 373]

The Committee then enquired of the Members present,
whether either of them had concurred in the said Instructions,
and on each of their Declaration, that they had not, they sent
for M^r Purviance & desired he would inform them, who of the
Committee were present, when the said Instructions were
given, & that he would give his Answer in Writing. M^r Pur-
viance accordingly came to the Committee and verbally
declared, that he had not consulted any one Person of the