172 Journal and Correspondence

C. S. C.

the Council of Safety. Humbly sheweth: That your poor
petitioners hath been ever since the seventeenth day of last
mon^t February, confined in the main Guard House, in the
City of Annapolis, and that upon suspicion of being enemies
to their Country, and upon an examination before the Council
of Safety, there was nothing found against us only that we
were found among the number of those that was deemed
Enemies to their country. Therefore most Honourable Gen-
tlemen, as we ever have hitherto obtained the cause, and is
still willing to maintain it, and to affirm the reverse of some
ill prejudiced persons (as the Honorable house has been
pleased to pass an act for the releasement of all those that is
willing to take the oath of Allegiance) We are willing to
comply with the Honourable House's rules, and take the oath
of allegiance, in due obedience thereto, and shew that we are
more for liberty than slavery. Therefore, most Honourable
and considerate Gentlemen, as we have one and all of us
families, and has not any one of us, any one to manage or
conduct or do for us, things of course must most Honourable
Gentlemen, be in a most distressing condition: Therefore
most honourable and considerate Gentlemen, hopes, there-
from that you will take the above matter into your Honours
most serious considerations, and weigh matters most deliber-
ately, and grant us a releasement from our present exigencies
as we never have been prejudicial to the present state of
affairs. Your granting us, most Honourable Gentlemen, an
answer, in favour of the foregoing, your poor Petitioners shall
ever be in duty bound to pray: Signed by the whole of the
Petitioners: So God bless the Congress and direct our
General.
To the Hon^ble the Council of Safety of M^d

[Thomas Smyth to Jenifer.]

Chester Town March the 13^th 1777
Sir, I received your fav^r of the 28^th Feb^y by Captⁿ Coursey
two days ago desiring me to purchase a Qty of Rigging &
sail duck for the state which you had been informed were
arrived here. I should have readily complied with your desire
had there been any at this place for sale. The brig you
were informed arrived here from Philadelphia came from
Hamburgh & Madeira but she brought no rigging for sale
and a few bales of Ravens Duck which was only fit for tents
& small sails this was sent to Philadelphia after lying here 6
weeks and would not sell. We have an account here that
Cap^t Dashiel is arrived with a Qty of sail & duck in some