of the Council of Safety, 1775-76. 391

observed the Governor's boat hove out & clearring. I
thought it my duty to make it immediately known to the
Hon^ble Council, & accordingly waited on them & was refused
admittance. I with difficulty persuaded the doorkeeper to
ask M^r B. Nicholson (who was with them) to come out. After
an half hours attendance he came. I told him what I had
seen, & begged he would tell the Council that I waited their
orders whether to remain with the tender or return home.
They answered by M^r Nicholson, That they desired me to
remain with the boat & act according to the orders I had
received (or words to that amo^t) a short time after sunset I
went on board. The midshipman who came on shore for me,
pointed at a schooner lying off the Governor's wharf, wh he
said had come out, and on seeing the tenders boat rowing
tow^ds her, put back immediately, and came to, where she then
lay. On my return to Annapolis next morning, (Wednesday)
we knew her to be M^r Sprigg's. About eleven she hove up,
and attempted going out, but was brought to by the tender.
About twelve the Governors boat also got under way, and the
tender brought her to. I saw what was done, & thought it
my duty to go on board. I search^d the last mentioned boat
narrowly & found Porter & Claret, which made me suspect
his excellency intended making his escape. I put a guard on
board with some of the Defence's People, and am sorry to say
that 2 bottles Porter & one of Claret were drank by them. M^r
Sprigg came off to us, & seem^d much surprised that we should
dare to stop his boat, & asked what orders we had. I thought
his question impertinent, and answered it as it deserved with
silence. I went ashore with him, he grumbling all the time.
Secretary Smith was on the wharf he asked M^r Sprigg what
was the matter; who answered that by order from the Council
of Safety his schooner was stopped. M^r Smith immediately
replyed, that he could assure him the Council of Safety had
given no such orders. I said it was sufficient I had my orders
for what was done. I then went to Dinner, and there under-
stood by verbal orders from M^r Duvall, that the affair was
settled & I might return home. M^r Sprigg came in & I prom-
ised to send his boat up to Annapolis according to his desire.
I went down to the wharf with intention to go on board, where
I met Lieut: Nicholson with a pass from the Governor for
his Mullattoe, to pass unmolested in Chesapeake Bay. We
thought proper to deliver it to some member of the Hon^l
council; and seeing M^r Carroll talking with M^r Sprigg, we
went up to him, and Lieut. Nicholson delivered it. Mr Sprigg
complained of ill treatment. Lieut. Nicholson told him, he only
did what he had a right to do. He replied, he supposed that he
(Lieut^t N.) might think he was right. I answered that he not

C. S. J.