124 Journal and Correspondence

has arrived. I have examined a good deal of it and find it in
such a state as will not admit of its being stored any length of
time in expectation of a sale. I shall thereupon endeavour to
sell or ship it without delay. If I cannot do better, I must
have the schooner John examined and valued, and send her
off with it, for it will soon perish here, and there is a good
chance of selling it very high, if it can be expeditiously
pushed to market. The Brig^e will sail in 12 days by w^ch time
Capt. Martin has engaged to return, if he does not I must
send her without him, as it is not in my power to attend here
longer. The 2 chests of Arms and 9 Bales of Sail Cloth the
Capt. has delivered since the Committee of Worcester wrote
you of the deficiency. The Powder yet remains, 12 whole
Barr^ls short, 4 1/2 barrels of which he says was put on board
for vessells use. Capt. Martin appears very anxious to be
commission'd, of this I can say nothing as he is a stranger to
me, except that the men enter and act more cheerfully where
they have a chance of shareing a Prize, but how proper it may
be to grant Commissions to vessells carrying Cargoes must be
submitted to you.
I have the honor to be y^r honor's most obed^t Serv^t
R. Hooe

Original.

[Dames to Council.]

Queen Anns County July 26^th 1776.
Gentⁿ M^r Jackson waits on you with two copies of my
muster roll, agreeably to the Resolve of Convention. I cant
say but I am a good deal distressd at the uneasiness of our
people, they thrown themselves out of business by entering
into the Service and many of them have not holes to put their
heads in, and are perpetually teasing me about it; they are
prodigiously anxious to be provided for with arms, they
really labour under great disadvantages at present.
If possible I make no doubt but you will soon supply us.
It certainly would be vastly agreeable to.
Gentⁿ Your very ready Hble Serv^t
John Dames

Original.

[Barnes to Council.]

Camp at Cherry Fields 26^th July 1776.
Gentⁿ I am informed Col^o Kent that was approved by the
Convention to command the Defence, declines the acceptance
of the Command. I shall therefore take the liberty to recom-
mend Captⁿ George Cooke as a proper person to command
the Defence, knowing that Capt. Richardson's opinion was
that neither of the Gentⁿ on board the Defence was sufficiently