of the Council of Safety, 1775-76. 453

[R. Beall to Council.]

Head Quarters Drum Point May 29^th 1776.
Gentⁿ Some time ago, I wrote to your Honors, for our
subsistence money, by Lieutenant Haulkerson, that he inform^d
me you could not determine the subsistance, for the want of a
fuller house, should be glad you'd send over subsistance due
till this date, from the 29^th day of March, by M^r Ristor or any
safe opportunity. I am Gentⁿ Your m^o obt^t Hum^l Serv^t
Rezin Beall

Original.

[Nicholson to Council]

Ship Defence off Point Lookout May 29^th 1776.
Gentle" Your order of the 25^th Ins' came to hand yester-
day noon 3 oClock I was then off Wecomoco, about an hour
after we imagine the Governors boat past us, the Commadore
still continued at anchor, but as the weather was thick imagine
the boat past her (Commadore): The other two ships that was
under way stood into the mouth of Rappahanock & supposed
anchor'd, as we stood off and on all the ebb and did not see
them come out again. It blow'd very fresh & imagin'd they
woud weigh again on the flood to chase me, which woud have
given them a great advantage, therefore woud have gone into
Wecomoco, but the Governors boat passing me at an Anchor
off the Mouth, made me conclude to beat all night at a Risque,
since which have not seen them. I shall make the best of my
way up & expect we shall have a southerly wind, in which case
should the Enemy be standing up the Bay, its necessary I
should have the orders as early as possible, where you would
have the ships go to. We did not discover any more vessels
then 3 ships & a smaller vessel which supposed was a Tender.
I am Gentⁿ y^r Most oblidged Hum^l Serv^t &c.
James Nicholson

Original.

Thursday 30^th May 1776.

Met according to Adjournment. Present the same Mem-
bers as on yesterday.
Copy of Letter N^o 2 was sent to Cap^t James Nicholson of
the Ship Defence, and Copy of N^o 3 to Cap^t Duncan Hill.
Ordered That the Treasurer of the Western Shore pay to
Cap^t Duncan Hill fifteen Pounds Currency to defray the
Expences of the Carriage of Flour from the Cherry Stones
across Northampton County in Virginia for a Vessel going to
the West Indies on Account of the Province.
Ordered That the said Treasurer pay to the Clerk twenty

C. S. J.