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Baltimore, March 16, 1776.
GENTLEMEN: This Committee, on the first alarm of Captain Squire' s being coming up to this town, met, and took into their serious consideration the unprepared state thereof to repel an attack; and, therefore, thought it necessary to throw up two breastworks at Fell' s Point, as well to preserve the town as to cover the Ship Defence, which was then without the chief part of her guns. The account of the expense, as soon as it can be liquidated, will be laid before you; and, as the necessity was urgent, we hope you will readily support us. We also undertook to fit out a schooner, as a tender, and to support the operations of Captain Nicholson, and have proceeded some lengths in equipping
We are, with due respect, gentlemen, your most obedient servants,
WILLIAM LUX,
To the Honourable Council of Safety of Maryland.
Letter from the Baltimore Committee to the Maryland Council of Safety
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her; and we beg to know from you whether it is your intention that we shall proceed to finish and complete her for the service of the Province, or whether you would desist from prosecuting the matter any further. We judge the purchase of the vessel and her outfit may amount to two thousand pounds; and we are of opinion she will be very useful in scouring the coast from the incursions of the tenders, as she will mount ten guns, and carry seventy to one hundred men. She is in such forwardness as to sail immediately on getting her men. One of the breastworks (which was mostly calculated to cover the ship) mounts six guns, and the other ten, and they were particularly requested to be done by Captain Nicholson. Our fort at Whetstone is ready to mount eight guns, and we shall use every exertion to expedite it.
Deputy Chairman.
THOMAS HARRISON,
JOHN SMITH,
WILLIAM BUCHANAN,
JOHN BOYD,
JOHN MERRYMAN, JUN˙,
JOHN STERETT.