of the Council of Safety, 1776. 145

them great honour and has given me great pleasure. To
induce the privates in the several battallions to enter cheerfully
into the service, I ordered the Col^s to direct a Cap^t, Ensign,
Sergeant and 2 corporals to march with the drafts of each
company; and tho the number of officers was greater than I
deemed necessary, yet I incline to think the men would not
have marched with the same alacrity had they not been accom-
panyed by their captains. After the troops had arrived at
their several places of rendezvous I discharged the supernu-
merary officers in every instance where I cou'd do it without
breeding great discontents among the troops, both officers and
privates being in general averse to the measure.
I am further to inform your board that I have taken such
steps as it will put it in the power of every officer and private
now on duty to attend and give their votes at the ensuing
elections without leaving our coast exposed to the attacks of
the enemy, which it is not all improbable they may make,
under an idea that our people are taken off to attend the
elections.
I have the honor to be with great respect

July 30^th 1776. Your mo. obed^t Serv^t
Henry Hooper.

[Nathaniel Smith to Council.]
Gentlemen
I rec^d a letter yesterday, by Order of Council dated the 27^th
Ins^t from M^r DuVall, desiring I would let you know the
number of Guns, sent down latley by M^r Hughes, the two last
he sent us was about five weeks ago, Viz^t — one Eighteen & one
nine pounder. I have now only three Eighteen pounders left.
I this morning Rec^d your order by Cap^t Nicholson for five
Eighteen pounders which have dellivered, with a number of
Shot, & other Apperatus Acc^t of which you have inclos'd,
there is no nine or Eighteen pounders here but what are
mounted except those nines that ware first Cast by M^r Hughes
& not thought fit for use. I am Gentlemen
Your m^o Oblidged Hhbl^c Serv^t
Fort at Whetstone Nath^l Smith
July the 30^th 1776.

Original,

[Harrison to Council.]

Port Tobacco July 30^th 1776.
Gentlemen. I have the happiness to inform you that the
Molly Cap^t Tho^s Conway is once more safely arrived in great

Original.