18 Journal and Correspondence

C. S. C.

sitous as they do in this county, which seems to be for no
other purpose than to distress the needy (for what end ?) to
make the war in which we are engaged more irksome, occa-
sion the people to mutineer and create divisions among them,
these are the ends they answer. May just vengeance fall on
the heads of all such traitors. The success of Howe's arms
when near Philadelphia has unmasked many of our leaders
here, which time sorry its in my power with truth to say of
them, and could with truth say a great deal more to the dis-
credit of our once leaders, which for the present must decline
as time will not permit. To conclude, I've thus far given you
a true discription of Colston's case, and some of the conduct
of our county men, and by which you may the easier judge of
the unhappy situation of the people of this shore, must beg
your patience a little further while I inform you, that if you
should send summons's for those Caroline men to be brought
before you on M^r Chamberlaine's charge against them, I know
not where it will end, especially with that Gentleman and
his tory assistants, for there are not less than 3 or 400 men
who have pledged their faith to each other to go at an hour's
warning, and at the risk of their lives and fortunes not only
release those men, but be revenged of those who occasioned
such injuries to be done them, which I really believe is the
truth.
I therefore hope your Hon^rs of the two evils will choose the
least, let it pass over, as no one is injured by this conduct yet,
and lest it excite more devisions among us than we already
have, which are too much encouraged by crafty, designing
men, against whom we ought always to be prepared to defend
ourselves, by being as unanimous in all our public undertak-
ings as possible, which is the sincere wish of Gentleman,
Your very humble Servant
John Gibson
N. B. Among other facts in the state of M^r Colston within,
its set forth that M^r Chamberlaine's Trustee was not at home,
which is wrong. He was at home, but sick, which occasioned
his wife to act. J. G.
To The Council of Safety. Annapolis.

[John Ghiselin to Council.]

Frederick Town M^d Jan^y 4^th 1777.
Gentlemen.
I find my health so much impared by the late Campaign,
that I am unable to render my country the services which I
ought in honour, shou'd I continue to accept of the Commis-
sion with which I have been honoured This with some other