of the Council of Safety, 1775-76. 459

will move we conjecture up the River Potowmack, or our Bay.
We should be exceedingly glad to have our military stores
particularly Cannon and small arms lent the Congress for
fitting out the Wasp and Hornet — inclosed we send you copy
of the particulars, and wish you would apply when there is
probability of succeeding.
M^r Smith informs that a vessel under Spanish colours was
lately taken in Delaware Bay with 14000 Dollars on board,
the boxes that contained them are marked W. M. from whence
he thinks they belong to Willing & Morris, and that there
may be more money on board — he confirms the report of
Stock on the Island and says a Commissary is appointed to
see that the people are paid. M^r Smith also says that Com-
modore Hamond and Lord Dunmore both assured him that
they had certain Intelligence that Commissioners were coming
over and that he inferred from their conversation, they were
to treat with the Congress, he also says that they told him a
very powerful fleet was expected with the troops from Eng-
land, that Hudson's Ship was with the fleet now at Gwins
Island, that she was not yet condemned a witness being want-
ing that was on board the Liverpool Frigate, whom Dunmore
told M^r Smith, could prove that the Congress had papers on
board concealed in a Log of wood which probably would
condemn her. We wish to hear from you by every good
opportunity.

[Commodore Hamond to Eden.]

Roebuck at Gwin's Island 30^th May 1776.
Dear Sir. I have received your letter of the 26^th Instant by
M^r Smith, who arrived here yesterday and am sorry (tho' not
surprized) to learn that you think it necessary to leave Anna-
polis. The Province of Maryland has hitherto been looked
upon, as having acted with a degree of moderation in the
present unnatural Rebellion subsisting in the Colonies, and I
had some expectation from your continuing in your Govern-
ment, that you might have been able to have convinced the
people of the impossibility of their succeeding in the plan that
America is now pursuing (which is the only motive, I fear, that
will have any weight in bringing them back to their allegiance)
but as you have certainly now given this a very fair trial, and
it is become apparent that the matter can only be settled by
force of arms, I confess, that I think your remaining longer
among them would only be exposing yourself to insults, and
would answer no good purpose to his Majesty's service; I
shall therefore very soon send one of the Kings Ships to
receive you on board, until a passage can be provided for you
to England, which I beleive will happen very shortly; I shall

C. S. C.