of the Council of Safety, 1776. 529

[Council to Chamberlaine.]

To Brigadier Gen^l Chamberlaine
(Circular)
Sir. We have certain information that Lord Howe has
joined Lord Cornwallis, and that the main army of the Enemy
is near the City of Philadelphia with intention to attack that
important place. They are still on the East Side of Delaware.
Assistance will be most wanted, and we request you will give
the necessary orders to your Brigade to hold themselves in
Readiness to march to Philadelphia. Col. Ewing tells us that
a requisition has passed Congress for the militia of Baltimore
Harford, Frederick and Cecil, Counties to march, and that he
was desired by the President of that honorable Body to give
us notice thereof, we wish not to loose a moment's Time. As
soon as we hear further Intelligence, we will write you by
express.
14^th Dec^r 1776

C.S.C.

No. 59.

[Purviance to Council.]

Baltimore Dec^r 14^th 1776.
Gentlemen.
In consequence of letters to our Committee and myself rec^d
by Thursd^s Post, Captⁿ Nicholson went off yesterday evening
with about 30 or 40 of his best Hands & some of his officers
with near 20 sail of Small Craft for the Head of Elk to assist in
bringing down the Public Stores & sick that might be moved
from Philad^a. About an hour after his departure I received
the inclosed letter for him which I dispatched after him by a
Barge. He returned it to me, late last night, and agreeable
to his desire I now forward it to you by Express for your con-
sideration. Should you think fit to order the Defence's men
to follow after Capt. Nicholson, I w^d beg leave to suggest
whether it wou'd not be adviseable to take a few of the nine
Pounders from the Fort, & send up along with the Defences
Guns, to put on board the Frigates shoud they attempt send-
ing them around to this Bay. We have plenty of Craft here
to carry up the Defences People &c to Elk. Our Comm^ee
agreeable to M^r Chase's requisition wrote the Comm^ee of your
City to send up to Elk what Craft were at Annapolis. I have
since learned that there is no Committee. There will be no
necessity of sending any more craft, as we can get plenty
here. Our Comm^ee are preparing the Court House in the
best manner the time will admit tor the reception of the Con-
gress shoud they be obliged to leave Philad^a, in which case
M Chase writes it is intended to come.
I am, Gentlemen, your most hbl Serv^t
Sam^l Purviance Jun^r

Original.