of the Council of Safety, 1775-76. 487

[Council to Alexander.]

To Robert Alexander Esq^r
Sir.
M^r Purviance has just now informed us of your return to Balt^o
Town, after your long absence from your family and friends,
which as it must afford you and them great joy and satisfac-
tion, we most sincerely congratulate you thereon.
We have sometimes found much difficulty in transaction of
business that originally had been under your direction, for the
want of the contracts and other papers relative thereto, and
we should be glad that you would transmit to us, as soon as
you conveniently can, all the agreements and papers you have
in your possession respecting the public, & which properly
may come under the inspection and cognizance of our Board.
We hope soon to hear of your being restored to perfect health.
12th June 1776

C. S. C.

No. 22.

[Betton's Petition to Convention.]

To the Honble the Delegates of the Province of Maryland
now met in Convention. The petition of Turbutt Betton
Junior of Queen Anns County sheweth: That since the inhab-
itants of this Province, have been reduced to the disagreeable
necessity of taking arms in defence of their injured liberty
your petitioner hath relied on the resolutions of the Conven-
tion of this province from time to time made as a means in a
great degree whereby redress of grievances may be obtained
and Anarchy and confusion happily avoided, under those
impressions your petitioner heretofore enrolled as a private in
Captain Thomas Wrights Company of Militia in Queen Anns
County and chearfully submitted to do duty in that station
being firmly resolved to support the authority of the Conven-
tion to the utmost of his power. That the said Thomas Wright
hath been appointed Colonel of the Battalion to which the said
Company belongs since which the Honble the Council of
Safety of this Province have appointed James Bordley Captain
John Kent first Lieu^t James Earle second Lieu^t and Nathan
Brown Ensign of the said Company, but a majority of the
same Company regardless of the resolutions and appointments
of the convention & Council of Safety have refused to
acknowledge the field officers of the said Battalion appointed
by the Convention or to Act under them and have nominated
acted under and appointed other field officers in their stead
and have also refused to acknowledge and act under the said
second Lieu^t and Ensign appointed by the Council of Safety
but have also nominated, and act under others, appointed

Original.