256 Proceedings of the Council of Maryland, 1753-1761.

Lib. J. R.
& U. S.

the same Time but think it my Duty to inform your Excel-
lency in Justice to the people that I really believe the Cause
to proceed from Persons (who I shall forbear to say) any
other ways than by the inclosed Copy of a Letter which came
to Hand and is yet the fullest Evidence I can yet come at in
this Matter, tho' am of Opinion that on a full Enquiry a more
certain Knowledge of the Facts may be had. As the Num-
bers of the Men willing to march are so few, am at a Loss to
know till your Excellency is pleased to signify your farther
Pleasure what to do.

I am of Opinion that if one of the Field Officers had at-
tended the Company, and given Orders for the March of
those Men that more of them would have gone.
Your Excellency was pleased to direct a Return of such
as refused to march to be made to a Magistrate, it has
already been industriously reported that I am solely to blame
in this Matter, and that if I make a Return of those refusing
that I shall be the Cause of the Calamities of such who for
their Disobedience are punished, or Words tending that
way. If your Excellency should be pleased to direct one
of the Field-Officers to attend one Meeting of the Company,
and if any disobedient and refuse to go, that the Field Officer
may make such Return as your Excellency may think proper

p. 220

and direct it would in a very great Degree free me from the
heavy Charge against me just mentioned.
After begging your Excellency's Favour in the Matter
just named shall wait your farther Orders which shall be
chearfully obeyed by.
Your Excellency's most obedient and very humle Serv^t
Jan: 18: 1758. Peregrine Brown.

Sir
I have been a good deal about, and find by the Majority
of people is intirely against our going to the Fort, I have it
from Men of good Account as well as the Country, they are
all of Opinion that if the People in General refuse going not
a Man will be hurt I find it is greatly the Desire of all
People both rich and poor to have the Steelponeans to refuse,
I am credibly informed that even the Magistrates themselves
will not be forward to commit them for not going, for they
say if the Men will not go there must be a Provision made,
beside you may take it for granted, that the Militia is not
obliged by the Law to tarry at the Fort one Day but may
come back immediately unless the Enemy was on the Fron-
tiers and for any if the Gentlemen of Steelpone has. a Mind
to inform themselves further may apply themselves to M^r