of the Council of Safety, 1777. 179

and in Answer to yours be assur'd whatever Doubts I have
Reason to entertain to the contrary, my utmost Endeavours
shall be exerted to have this Post in such a Situation as may
ensure Peace and Quietnes in Future, which I trust will be the
case, should the Intercourse with the British Navy be broke,
and no British Troops get foothold here. Little further Testi-
mony has appear'd against the excepted persons, but I should
judge that which gave Rise to the Exception, being extended
against them must be conclusive.. We have nearly finish'd
taking Depositions, after which the Excepted Persons shall be
sent up, but our Force is really too small to admit of more
Drafts or Detachments. Five of the Annapolis Artillery,
added to those mentioned in my Last, are Hand-cuff'd and
under Guard for Desertion and House breaking, which leads
me to suppose, as they value themselves (and refuse Duty)
upon being stiled your Troops, that you have been bad Disci-
plinarians. The men have really been used too well, and done
too little Duty; they have become licentious. I have more
Trouble with this Handful than I formerly had with my late
Reg^t and the Independent Companies. The Proclamation
was publish'd before I wrote on the 3^d Inst., it was only with-
held a few days till the excepted Persons could be taken. The
arms of all shall be secured immediately. Should any of the
crimes mentioned in mine of the 14 Inst. appear to you to
preclude the Perpetrators from the benefit of the Proclama-
tion, you'll please signify it; also direct what's to be done with
Persons refusing to take the Oath of Allegiance to the State ;
with persons who persuade, countenance, and harbour Soldiers
under Desertion; with Mr. Bacon, who from the Depositions
you'll observe was active in advising the signing Gen^l Howe's
Proclamation, and refuses to take the oath, &c.; with persons
who upon Examination appear to have misled and corrupted
the minds of ignorant People; and lastly direct what you will
have done generally with all such who within the Limitation
do not comply with the terms of the Proclamation, particularly
in not taking the oath, and delivering up their arms, a number
of which I think are and will be secreted. I remain &c. &c.
The Honble Daniel of St. Thomas Jenifer Y^rs
Pres^t of the Council of Safety. W. Smallwood, B^r Gen^l

C. S. C.

Monday March 17. 1777.
Council met. Present as on Saturday.

Ordered That the Western Shore Treasurer pay to George
Gordon four Pounds for a Gun.
That the said Treasurer pay to Thomas Howard twenty
dollars for 1 Months Pay.

C. S. J.