382 Journal and Correspondence

C. S. J.

to seize the person & papers of Governor Eden & M^r Alex
Ross.
56. Q. Asked again:
A. Recollected he did :
M^r Purviance acknowledges the Instructions were given by
himself & not by the Committee :

Original.

[Purviance to Balto. Deputation.]

Gentlemen: Baltimore 14 Ap 1776.
Cap^t James Nicholson having returned yesterday even^g with
his Tender, We have dispatchd her to Annap^s under the
Comm^d of Lieu^t Nicholson & Cap^t Samuel Smith with a num-
ber of picked men well armed, to be at your & the Council's
Command in case the Gov^r should have escaped before you
got down. As this Boat can both row & sail, we judged her
much fitter for the Pursuit than any ves^l that could be found
at Annapolis, and we are of opinion that it may still be pos-
sible to overtake the Gov^r before he may leave Col^o Fitshugs
where it is probable he may call.
Cap^t Smith has directions to use every Precaution that no
alarm may be given by the boats going down, & we confide in
his Prudent Managem^t of the matter, in case theres no occa-
sion for his Service the ves^l can instantly return back. This
measure has been detm^d on by General Buchⁿ M^r Lux W^m
Buchⁿ Doc^t Boyd M^r Harrison & myself, but they being now
all gone to Din^r cant find them to sign this.
I am Gen^l Your most hble Serv^t
Sam^l Purviance Jun^r

Original
Copy.

[Instructions to Lieut. Nicholson.]

Sir. You are immediately to proceed with the Defence's
Tender off the harbour of Annapolis and there to Land Captⁿ
Smyth; while he is ashore, you are to stand off and on the
Harbour and examine every Boat, that comes out Annapolis
or thereabouts (taking care to distress no Boat unnecessarily)
and if you find Governor Eden and Secretary Smyth, or either
of them, you are to make them Prisoners, if Captain Smith has
Orders to deliver them to the Council of Safety, you'll in that
case deliver them up to him for that purpose; if not, bring
them on Board the Defence. If upon Captⁿ Smith's return
you find they are not at Annapolis you are then to proceed
down to Colonel Fitschew's and assist Captain Smith if neces-
sary, in examining the Colonel's house in making them Pris-
oners. Provided they are not to be found in either place, and