140 Letters to the Governor and Council

March 21

dred Cartridges and they are divided between Captains Boone and
Gray one at the Bodkin and the other at Sandy point if it appears
Necessary S^r I should be glad to have a few arms and Accoutriments
for we are but very Indeferently armed

March 21
Red Book
No. 7
Letter I

[Sam. Huntington, President, to His Excellency, Governor Lee.]

Your Excellency will receive herewith enclosed, a Proclamation
of the 20^th Instant earnestly recommending that Thursday the third
Day of May next may be observed as a Day of Humiliation, Fasting
& Prayer by all the States.

March 21

[John Weems to Col^o James Brice]

I have posted gards at the most Convenient places to prevent the
Negros from going to the Enemy & Secur'd all Boats & Canoes,
but it is not in the power of the Militia to prevent the Enemy Land-
ing as they have neither Muskets powder nor balls if you Could Let
me have Sixty Good arms Complet I think Could put them in the
hands of them that would make use of them Cap^t Deale waits on you
with this and will take Care of what armes &c that you think proper
to send.
N B. 60 Muskets Compleat; Powder & Ball; Cartridges & paper ;
120 Gun Flints.

March 21
Red Book
No. 29
Letter 46

[W^m Winder, Gilliss Polk, John Williams, Joseph Venable, George
Waters, John Span Conway, Henry Jackson, L Woolford, John
Done, W. Gilliss, Henry Waggaman, Isaac Henry, Esme Bayly,
Tho^s Hayward, Lambert Hyland, James Haynir, W^m Polk, Tho^s
Irving, John Evans (of Nich^s), W^m Strawbridge, Denwood Wil-
son, John Denwood, W^m Waters of W^m, Josiah Polk, George
Handy, W^m Horsey, Somerset County, Maryland, to the Council.]

We are informed that at the last Session of Assembly an Act
passed for either building or Purchasing Armed Vessels for the
Defence of the Bay and Sound. The Defenceless situation of the
Rivers and the much exposed Inhabitants in this Part of the State
loudly call for assistance. The numberless Depredations committed
with Impunity by Picaroons, and the Prospect of the Continuance
of such Outrages clearly Point out the immediate Necessity of adopt-
ing some effective Measures to check their Progress and give some
security the ensuing Summer to those who live contiguous to
Navigation
We are apprehensive that we should derive capital Advantage
from an Armed Boat the Construction of which has been suggested
by a Gentleman in this Part of the County well acquainted with
maritime Affairs. Capt. Zeekiah Walley the Gentleman who has
been kind enough to offer us the following Plan is not only well