of the Council of Safety, 1775-76. 493

will not be given here unless our attendance in Convention is
desired. M^r Tilghman left us yesterday, M^r Paca is here.
We have nothing new since we last had the Honour of
addressing you The continental Proof of cannon is two
thirds of the weight of a ball, of Powder, and two Balls, tho this
is said to be less powder than is used for the purpose in
England: We are Gen^l with much respect Your most
Ob' Servt^s T. Stone. J. Rogers.

Phil^a June 15'" 1776. We have sent by the stage 4 Rm.
paper a Box Instruments, & a Gun Carriage :

[Cook to Plater.]

Smiths Creek June 15^th 1776.
D^r Sir. I have sent you by this opportunity the draught of
Smith's Creek, I hope it will please, as I have laid down as
correct as I possible could, it took me much longer then I
expected, I was three days & a half in taken the angles and
distance of places w^f the soundings in the Chanell and on the
Barr's and two days in plating the three & half days was
obliged to hire two hands to attend me, I am at this time
much hurried by a report of part of Dunmores fleet intending
up the bay, expected to land off point lookout, the news is
brought by the tender of the congress; they had it from des-
erters from the fleet of Dunmores excuse hast. I am D^r Sir
Your most Humble Serv^t George Cook.
To Colonel Plater :

[Garrett to Council.]

Harford Co^ty Swann Creek 15^th June 1776.
Sirs, Agreeable to the Resolve of the Convention, I have
been endeavouring as superintendant of the Salt Petre Works
of this County, to Comply with the same, but have met with
difficultys in the essay that I did not expect from the several
Publications thereof. I have got my works erected and mater-
ials collected for going on with it, I have been sometime at
work but whether owing to the extra, wet season when I
raised the earths or its not rising so plentifully in our flat
clayey lands as in those more Hilly and dry, I cant tell, but
cant find the quantitys contained in the earths I have tryed, as
has been published, — I think I shall now produce six or eight
pounds per day and have hopes of more. I have three Boilers
70, 60 & 30 gallons which we use more or less every day.
I have weighed what is made and fit for sending away this

C. S. C.