386 Journal and Correspondence

C. S. C.

have sent you by Rob^t Owings .£86.. 4. 6 Currency, agreeable
to your Request. The Committee has our Permission to use

any Part of the Public Powder in their possession whenever
they think it necessary for the Defence of the Province.

Original.

[Maryland Deputies to Council]

Phil^a 25 April 1776.
Gen^l We this day about 12 oClock rec^d your letter of the
22^d by the return of our Express. No further proceeding in
Congress on M^r Edens affair. King came in on Sunday
about 3 oclock and is but just now discharged we think
proper to mention it that you may not think him blameable.
If M^r Rogers is able we wish his attendance here that as many
of us as might be should be at the convention we don't think
the province ought to be left unrepresented here. We are
Gen^t
Your most obed^t Serv^t Ma^t Tilghman
Tho^s Johnson Jun^r T. Stone.

C. S. J.

Friday 26 April 1776.
Council met. Present as yesterday except M^r Jenifer.

Permits granted to the Boat Gimblet, Gilbert Middleton,
Master, and Schooner Ranger, George Steel, Master, to pass
to Baltimore Town.
Ordered That the Treasurer of the Western Shore pay to
M^r John Brice Ten Pounds Currency for repairing a House for
the Reception of the Records of Ann Arundel County.
Cap^t James Nicholson in Obedience to the Order of the
24^th Instant having appeared before the Board, in Consequence
of Instructions he had given his first Lieutenant, The Council
proceeded to hear what he had to allege as a Justification or
Excuse for giving said Orders. He urged a Conversation
with M^r Purviance as Chairman of the Committee of Baltimore
County, and that he shewed him a Letter from General Lee;
and Captain Nicholson declaring upon his Honour that he
expected his Officer was to act only on the Water, and that he
expected Cap^t Smith would have applied to the Council of
Safety for Instructions, and having before made Concessions
by his Letter of the 21^st Instant, Thereupon Ordered That
Captain Nicholson be informed of the Opinion of this Board
that General Lee has no Authority within this Province, and
that M^r Purviance exceeded his Power in giving Directions to
the Purport he had done, and that he be cautioned to be more
on his Guard for the future.