Council of Maryland, 1782-1783. 377

Permission given to Capt Patten master of the Schooner Polly,
thirty Tons burthen, a square sterned Vessel Ballasted with Iron
navigated by himself and six men, to pass with the said Vessel un-
der the Sanction of a Flag of Truce with a sick Gentleman and his
Companion on Board and the necessary Stores and Provisions for
the Voyage to the Island of Bermuda, and to return again. —

March 8
Liber C. B.
No. 24
p. 391

[W^m Paca, in Council to Captⁿ William Underhill]

We have appointed you to be a Captain of one of the Barges. You
will immediately proceed to enlist 40 Men, to serve in the Barges
during the War or 'till the first of next January; those that have seen
Service are to be preferred. Captⁿ Handy will deliver you £280..7.1 —
£160..7..1 of which, is to be applied to the Payment of the Balances
due to the Men, late of the Barge Protector, a List of whose Names,
with the Sum due to each, you have enclosed. The Residue £120. is
to be applied to the Payment of the Bounty to the Men you engage.
You will endeavour to engage the Men without advancing any Money,
'til they arrive at this Place; the Advance must not exceed £3; this
Advance to be deducted out of their Monthly pay, if you can engage
the Men on such Terms, but if you cannot get them without a Bounty,
then it must go as a Bounty. You may promise them that they shall
receive £3 p Month and be found in Provision and Liquor: two
Thirds of the Prizes taken, to be divided among the Captors in the
usual Manner. When you get your Compliment of Men, which we
hope will be in a very few Days after you receive this, you will bring
them to this Place without Delay. Should you think it can be done
with Safety, you will bring up the new Barge, built by Col^o Dashiell ;
but we would not have you risk either the Men or the Barge, unless
there should be a strong Probability of coming safe. Should Circum-

March 8
Liber No. 78
p. 426

stances render it imprudent to bring up the Barge, you will march
the Men by Land, up the Bay, 'til you can cross with Safety. We
enclose you a List of Men who engaged for a twelvemonth, and
whose Times are not yet expired; we request you will endeavour to
collect these Men, and bring them with you; they shall be paid their
arrearages when they arrive here, but if they do not come with you,
or such Person as you shall appoint to conduct them, they will re-
ceive nothing. While you are on the Business of recruiting and
bringing up the Men, your reasonable Expences shall be paid. You
must supply the Men with Provisions on their Way up, on the best
Terms in your Power, keeping exact Accounts to be laid before us
on your Arrival. Let us hear from you by the first Opportunity, of
your Success, and when you will be up. You may engage such Per-
sons for your first and second Lieutenants, as you may think proper.

p. 427

[W Paca in Council to Captⁿ Levin Handy.]

We have appointed M^r Underhill to be captain of one of the
Barges. Should he decline to act, we request you will put the Letter

Ibid.