44 Journal and Correspondence

men of his Battalion if Possible. From the above affair I
think it would be proper Captⁿ Beall's company from Drum
Point should be ordered here and their place there supplyed

with the Militia of the Co^ty. I should be glad of your advice

and assistance. I should have wrote you more particularly
but have been marching from place to place from the morn-
ing till now, which is twelve o'clock in the night, and am much
Tiard. M^r Hugh Hopewell has promised me to hire an
express in Calvert to carry this to you, should therefore be
glad you would pay him.
I remain Gentⁿ Your hble Servt.
Rich^d Barnes

Original.

[Weston to Council.]
Gent:
I rec^d your favour 8^th curr^t and sorry it is out of my Power
to serve the Province with Guns, as both our furnaces is out
of blast nor can we blow till late this fall for want of water.
Cap^t Charles Ridgly's Furnace is in blast and like to continue
for some time.
Kingsbury Furnace 13^th July 1776. I am Gent
Your humble Serv^t
Jno: Weston.

Original.

[Somerville to Council.]

5 oclock Sunday 14^th July 1776. Calvert County
Gentlemen. About one o'clock yesterday morning by Ex-
press from Captain Beall, I received information that there
were forty sail of vessels off Point Look Out (Eight of which
were Square Rigged) & requesting some Assistance from our
Militia (and to get the other part in Readiness in case they
should proceed up the Bay) Col^o Mackall nut being in the
County, I gave such Orders as I thought might put us in the
best posture of Defence: the Six Upper Companys were to
hold themselves in readiness to march on the shortest notice,
& with Part of the rest I went to Drum Point. About 4
o'clock a firing of Cannon &^c was heard (Supposed to be in
Potowmack) which is confirmed this Morning by M^r Hugh
Hopewell Jun^r who was down near where the firing was; and
brought the Inclosed Letter from Colo. Barnes: who also
requested the Assistance of Captⁿ Beall & his men. M^r Hope-
well came to Drum Point this morning ab^t Nine o'clock &
Captⁿ Beall with all the men he had there, set out about half
past Ten; leaving that Post in the Charge of our Malitia, who
are now but few in number, but I propose to get (& keep)
there about Sixty or Seventy men, Exclusive of Officers untill