of the Council of Maryland, 1777. 197

to request you will pay the utmost Attention to and give
orders for removing the same as soon as possible

I have the Honor to be, with the greatest respect Sir,
Your most obed^t & very hble. Serv^t
John Hancock, Presid^t
The Honble. Thomas Johnson Esq.
Gov^r of the State of Maryland.

C. C.

[Washington to Hancock ?]

Head Qrs. Morris-town Mar. 31 1777
Sir: Captain Deshield of Mr. Buchanans ship from Balti-
more who was taken by the Enemy and carried into York
made his Escape from thence on Saturday Evening. He
informs that three thousand troops British & Hessian embarked
about ten days ago from the city of Staten-island on board
Transports which were laying at the latter when he came
away, he added that the Enemy have built and are building a
number of light flat-bottomed boats almost seventy of which
were finished. Capt. Deshield says it seemed to be the general
opinion & conversation that this embarkation was for Chesa-
peak bay with a view of making a descent on the Eastern
Shore, or that the troops were to proceed to the head of Elk,
taking Annapolis & Baltimore in their way, there were some
who thought it probable they were to go up the north river
and attempt the Highland fortifications. I have written to
general M^cDougal & Clinton desiring them to make the best
preparation the circumstances will admit of for their reception,
in case the latter should be their object.
Capt. Deshield being in Company with the Capt. of the
Packet but unknown to him, heard him say that a war with
France was much expected when he left England which was
about the beginning of February.
I have the honour to be, with great respect
Sir, your most Obed^t Serv^t
G. Washington

Copy.

April 3^rd 1777.

The Petitions of Whittey Turpin, Angelo Atkinson, Levi
Langford, Daniel Melson, Stoughton Maddox, and Josephus
Beall, Insurgents from Somerset and Worcester Counties,
praying to be discharged from their Confinement, were
referred by the General Assembly to the Governor and
Council, with full power to take such order therein, as they
think proper.

C. B.