of the Council of Safety, 1776. 521

[Nicholson to Auchinleck.]
M^r Authinlick
In absence of Capt. Cook I would recommend to you to
consider the necessity of immediately sending off all the
Defence's hands that lays in your power. I will assist your
officer that you shall think proper to send with them. Please
to show this to M^r Purviance and consult him on the occasion
that he may send word of to the Council of Safety. I shall
make the best of my way to Philadelphia.
I am yours &c.
Ja^s Nicholson

Original.

[Pennsylvania Council to Council.

In Council of Safety,
Philadelphia Dec. 11^th 1776.
Sir.
The present situation of this State makes it necessary to
remove all the State prisoners from this City, and the Honb^le
Board of War has advised us to send part to your care to dis-
pose of them in such safe place of confinement as you may
think proper. In consequence of which we have sent you a
list of their names you have annexed, they have been very
active and dangerous enemies to these States, and it is of
great importance that they be prevented from making an
escape being apprised of these facts we have no doubt of your
care and attention to have them secured.
We are, Sir, Your humble Servts,
By order of Council
Tho. Wharton Presid'

C. S. C.

[Cullumber's Petition.]

Head Quarters, Annapolis Dec. 11^th 1776.
The Humble Petition of Thomas Cullumber in Behalf and
for his two far absent children.
Humbly Sheweth —
That your Petitioner has two small children in Calvert
county and the oldest of them not being above five and half
years old, they are incapable of doing any thing for them-
selves; — And at the same time, most honourable Gentlemen,
I am to inform you that after the death of my wife and the
time of my enlistment I agreed with a friend of mine there to
take care of them for a limitted time But through the frowns
of Providence and the misfortunes of the world, he has fell
through and reduced to the very lowest ebb of Poverty, so
that most Honourable Gentlemen he is incapable of affording

Original.