of the Council of Safety, 1777. 119

[Council to Lowndes.]

February 6^th 1777,
Sir. We received yours of the 27 January and shall be

much obliged to you to let us have about ten ton of Cordage
of all sizes, some cables and other lesser sizes. We must pay
you what is reasonable the price of hemp and all other cir-
cumstances considered. Should any diversity of sentiment
arise, we are willing the matter should be left to indifferent
persons who are acquainted with business. We are, &c.
Christopher Lownds Esquire.

[Petition of Zachariah Tilley.]

To the Honourable Brigadier General Smallwood.
The petition of Zachariah Tilley humbly sheweth, That your
petitioner has served during the last campaign, as a soldier in
Capt. Barton Lucas's company, under your command; and is
now absent from the army on Furlough. That your Petitioner
having been bred to the business of a Ship Carpenter, con-
ceives he can be of more service to his country by working for
the Publick in that capacity, than by continuing as a soldier;
as he understands that Ship Carpenters are much wanted in
the public Dock yards.
Your petitioner therefore most humbly prays that he may
be discharged from the army, that he may be at liberty to
serve the States in the business to which he was bred and
your petitioner shall ever pray &c.
February 5^th 1777.

We whose names are hereunto subscribed do certify that
Zachariah Tilley was bred to the business of a Ship Carpenter,
under his Father and brothers; and that he worked at that
trade, until he enlisted into the army last winter.
(Signed) William Sydebotham, Henry Bradford, William
Murdock, Chr^r Loundes,Robt. Dick, Richard Henderson, Peter
Cams, Thomas Cramphin, Richard Ponsonby.

[Queen Anne's Co. Committee to Council.]

Gentⁿ In Committee Queen Anns County Feb. 5^th 1777.
The recommendation of Congress of the 21^st ult. with the
requisition of the Council of Safety, we received per Express
on the 28^th and on consideration thereof (that no time might
be lost in forwarding the service recommended to our atten-
tion) we forthwith sent circular letters to the captains of the

C. S. C.

No. 143.