of the Council of Safety, 1776. 115

[Council to Matthew Tilghman.]

To The Honble Matthew Tilghman Esq^r
Sir.
We are very apprehensive that we should incur the censure
of the Hon^ble Continental Congress and of the Islanders who
have stock should we make the order you request. The
Resolve of Congress is full and explicit without any excep-
tion, should we extend our powers to answer your request
others would expect Indulgence, and we know not where
the exceptions would stop, our powers are extensive but
not large enough to controul the orders of Congress. Your
application may well lay over till the meeting of the Con-
vention, which will be in a short time — we shall take par-
ticular notice of your application for an Armd Boat, and give
direction to our armd Vessells as soon as they can be got
ready. The Defence is going down the Bay and will be a,
good security against Tenders for the present, perhaps it
would be prudent to sell some of your Cattle, if you want a
Market, our Contractor will probably take off some of your
superfluous Numbers.
25^th July 1776

C. S. C.

No. 75.

[Council to Barnes.]

To Colonel Richard Barnes.
Sir. Before your Letter and papers therein inclosed came
to hand, we had received a letter from Major Price in which
M^r Wolstenholme's affair was mentioned. The Council of
Safety thereupon passed a General order to all the Com-
mittees of Observation, and Military Commanders not to
suffer any person whatever to go out of the Province for the
present, a Copy of this Order was inclosed to Major Price and
your Committee — all Intercourse with the Fowey has been
heretofore expressly forbid by the Convention, besides times
are so much altered since M^r Wolstenholme's passport, and
the Men of War have so openly Invaded this Province, that
we could not discharge our Duty without passing such order,
at least we thought so. M^r Wolstenholmes case may be
attended with particular circumstances, he must however
submit to the times. We hope both General Dent and
yourself on reflection will be of opinion that we have done
right. The suffering Gentlemen to go off, on Board the
Men of War or Tenders or any other Vessel that may have
communication with them is attended with great danger to
the Colony — every means of intelligence must be cut off if
possible.
25 July 1776

No. 76.