The Encyclopedia of Dumfries Virginia 1776-March ©

The Encyclopedia of
Dumfries, Virginia 1776 March

by Robert Hedges VIIII © -

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The customers of the ............. firm usually paid for their shippments by consigning goods to Jenifer & Hooe for sale on commission. In the spring of 1776 the Philadelphia firm of George Meade and Company sent a quantity of sugar,. cheese, coffee, candles, soap, and leather valued at 𧽤.5.2 Penn. currency to Alexandria for sale. Jenifer and Hooe earned a five-percent commission (their customary fee) for disposing of the goods; their profit amounted to 㿎.4.3 Penn. currency. [note 27]

On January 12, 1776, the Virginia Convention elected the field officers of the Third Regiment - Hugh Mercer, Colonel; George Weedon, Lieutenant Colonel; and Thomas Marshall, Major. [note 20]

Friday, Jan. 19th,1776. A pamphlet called " Commonsense " makes a great noise. One of the vilest things that ever was published to the world. Full of false representations, lies, calumny, and treason, whose principles are to subvert all Kingly Governments and erect an Independent Republic. I believe the writer to be some Yankee Presbyterian, Member of the Congress. The sentiments are adopted by a great number of people who are indebted to Great Britain.

Wednesday, 24 January 1776
Dr : Account of general expenses for minute service;
To cash paid Dr. George Draper for medicine furnished the Prince William Battalion 㿓.19.0
To cash paid Alex[ande]r Doyle for sundries furnd. Prince Wm. & Caroline Batts. ٠.0.0

Vol 4, p.326
4. On the present date Delegate Carter "of Stafford" Co. signed a receipt at the treasury for "One hundred Pounds for the Use of the Dumfries Salt petre Works & One hundred Pounds, AIlowed" him "to promote the different Salt petre Works" under his "Directions" (Treasurer's MS Receipt Book, no. 24, VSL entry for 9 Dec. 1775). By 21 Jan. 1776 Carter would report to the public that under his management, his five works were advancing "prosperously." At Alexandria, Aquia. Colchester, Dumfries, and Ravensworth he was producing an average daily grand total of 56 pounds of refined saltpeter. and he anticipated that when all of the works were fully "in motion," production would soar to a total of between 500 and 1,000 pounds per day (Va Gazette [Purdie], 2 Feb. 1776, supplement).

5. The convention resumed sitting as a Committee on the State of the Colony in compliance with an order adopted as the final transaction of the previous day, 8 Dec. 1775. Although the proceedings of this day respecting saltpeter may very well have been digested in the committee, the 1st business to be laid officially before the house as emanating from the committee-relating to defense and protection-would be received on 13 Dec. 1775 (Procs. and nn. 17-19).

VIRGINIA COMMITTEE 0F SAFETY TO MARYLAND COUNClL. OF SAFETY

In Committee of Safety Virga Jan 27. 1776

Gentn As we are so closely connected by inclination as well as interest and our situation strongly points out the propriety of attending to the operations which may be neccssary for our mutual defence, We are desirous of establishing & keeping up a constant intimate correspondence with you - We think it proper to inform you that we have resolved to build for the protection of Potomac River two row gallies one of them to carry one 24 pounder, thc other a twelve pounder & both swivels also three vessels, one of them four six pounders & some four pounders the other two vessels four pounders & swivels. We do not conceive this adequate to the importance of that great river, but we have three other rivers to which we must extend the like care, and as your province is equally interested in the safety of Potomac river we could not doubt but it would be the wish of your body to participate in its protection. Our determination on this head is yet subject to alteration and we shall chearfully consult & advise with you on this or any other sub]ect conducive to the Interest of both & to our mutual defence. We are [&c.l; John Tabb.John Page VP, Dudley Diggs, P. Carrington, Js Mercer, Thos Walker 1. Letters to Council of Safety, Md. Arch.

Sunday, Jan. 28th, 1776. Received a letter from Mr. Kirk advising that Lord Dunmore was coming up the River as soon as the Ice would permit him and desiring us to send him all the waggons that we can get. I wish his Lordship a safe arrival.

George Mason and John Dalton to the MARYLAND COUNCIL OF SAFETY

Sir: Fairfax County [Virginia] Jany 31st 1776.

Being empowered & directed, by the Committee of Safety for this Colony, to build two row gallies, one to carry a 21, & the other an 18 pounder, & provide three armed cutters for the protection of Potomac River, we think it proper to inform your board that this measure will be carryed into execution with all possible expedition, & that we hope to have your co- operation in adopting some similar plan, for the same purpose, we beg the favour of an answer by the first opportunity; and are, with the greatest respect, Sir &c.

1. Correspondence of Council of Safety, Md. Arch.

G.. Mason. John Dalton

[11th?] February, 1776. I am happy to have it in my power to inform your Lordship that by depriving the rebels from every supply of salt, rum or sugar in my power, the first as I observed to your Lordship before is raised from one shilling per bushel to fifteen, rum from two shillings and sixpense per gallon to twelve and fourteen shillings, and muscovado sugar (for they have no white at all) which used to sell from five to sixpense per pound now sells at four and five shillings per pound. The want of the first of these articles must distress them without measure as they cannot without it either preserve the cattle..........nor.........cure the meat they live upon during the whole of the summer. I think the want of rum will damp their courage more ways than one......

Thursday, 8 February 1776
Ship Defence of Maryland shore mounts 22 six pounders, besides swivels and will be ready for Potowmack duty by first of March.
A warrant to Colo. John Quarles for L11.3.10 allowed by the Commrs. for sundry expenses of Prince William Minute Battalion.

Feb. 27, 1776
On February 27th, Congress established a southern military district...

Tuesday March 5th, 1776 Vol. VI p.171
Colo. Hugh Mercer and Lieutenant-Colonel George Weedon of the Third Batallion, subscribed the articles of War, and took the oath perscribed by the Ordinance of Convention, after which their continental commissions were delivered them.

Ordered that the Field Officers of the Third Batallion be called into duty immediately and repair to their stations at Dumfries.

Colo: Mercer of the third Regiment informed the committee that the officers were inclined to elect the Rev'd Mr. David Griffith to the offices of Captain and Surgeon to ye said Regiment for both which they thought him very well qualified, and that his merit intitled him to such indulgence, but did not care to unite the offices in the same person without the appropriation of this committee. On considering the subject the committee are of opinion that no inconvenience wil arise to the public from such union.

Colo: Hugh Mercer is empowered to purchase tents, camp kettles, kanteens, Blank'ts and other necesssaries which may be wanting in his regard, the money for which will be paid on his certificates.

A warrant to Colo: Hugh Mercer for use Commissioner's Gun Manufactory at Fredericksburg for 𧷤 upon account.

Thurs. 7 Mar 1776
Ordered that the Louisa Company march to Dumfries their place of rendezvous and not to this city.
On a Warrant to Lewis Willis for L5.5.0 for fuel furnished the Prince William Battalion.
Same to Colo. Francis Peyton for L1600. upon account as paymaster of the Prince William Minute Battalion.

Virginia Committee of Safety. To the Maryland Council of Safety Williamsburg, March 9, 1776 Gentlemen The great length of Potomack River from its mouth to Alexandria where men of war can goe and the probability of some attempts being made by the Enemy in that Quarter make it prudent in our opinion to erect beacons or signals for communicating intelligence of their approach up the river in a more speedy manner than can be done by land: We have therefore appointed Colonel [Hugh] Mercer of the third and Colonel [William] Peachey of the fifth Regiment to Examine the river and fix the different posts and mode of continuing these Signals, but as we are aware that the course of the river will make it necessary that many of them should be set in your Province, we hope you will approve the measure and name Commissioners on your part to Co-operate with the above named Gentlemen in erecting it. We hear of no more naval arrivals and the former quiet as to depredations on Shore and up the rivers, confining themselves to Seisures in the Bay when they have an opportunity. We have had no intelligence of General Clinton since he went out. We are, Gentlemen, your most obedient Servants, For the Committee of Safety of Virginia. Edmd Pendleton Hall of Records of Maryland. Pendleton signed the document but its text is in another hand.

GEORGE MASON AND JOHN DALTON T0 THE MARYLAND COUNClL OF SAFETY Virginia, Fairfax County March 15th 1776. Gentlemen. Being employed by the Committee of Safety for this colony to fit out three artillry cruisers, & two row gallies, for the protection of Potomack River, we have, in consequence thereof, bought three sloops; the largest of which (called the American Congress) will mount 14 Carriage Guns, 4 & 6 pounders,to be maned with about ninety men. We are now raising the Company of Marines, which will be compleated in a few days; she has most of her guns mounted, the shot are now casting, at a Furnace in the Neighbourhood, & if we had powder, she would be very soon fit for action. we wrote to our delegates at the congress to purchase for us ln Philadelphia twenty Barrels of powder, & forward it to us by land, to serve 'til we could get a larger supply, wIhich they promised to do, so soon as it could be procured there, but none has yet come to hand, & we are very uneasy, least some of the enemies cutters should come up this river, to destroy our vessels, before they are in a posture of defence. As this equipment will be as beneficial to the inhabitants on the north side of Potomack as to those on this side, we doubt not the disposition of your board to promote it, and under these circumstances we take the liberty to apply to you for the loan of ten Bars of the powder lately imported for your province, in Capt [Thomas] Conway's vessel now in the eastern Branch of Potomack, which shall be replaced out of the first powder we receive from the northward, or elsewhere, if ten Bars cant be spared, even five or six Bars would be very serviceable, & might answer our Purpose, until the supply we expect from Philadelphia arrives. - We beg the favour of an immediate answer, & hope that the urgency & importance of the Business will excuse the trouble we have taken the liberty to give you. We are [&c] 1. Correspondence of Council of Safety. Md Arch. G. Mason John Dalton

Thursday 14th March 1776 A warrant to Edward Warren for L2.9.3 for necessaries furnished several Minute companies from Prince William Same to same for L2.9.3 for necessaries furnished several minute companies from Prince William.

1776, 9/3 MARYLAND COUNClL OF SAFETY TO THE VIRGlNlA COMMlTTEE OF SAFETY No 67 Gentn. We have your Favor of the 9th of this Month and as we are convinced of the Expediency of constructing the Beacons in the Manner you propose, on the Points of the River Potowmack; we shall readily join you in any Expence, that may attend the Erection of them, & have appointed the Honorable George Plater Esqr and Brigadier John Dent to act with the Gentlemen nominated by you, for the carrying that Measure into Execution. We shall acquaint them of their Appointment, and we are persuaded they will attend for that Purpose on any Notice, your Commissioners will be pleased to give them - We have heard little of the Otter and her Tenders since their leaving this River, except that they pillaged a small Island on our Eastern Shore. We are not without expectation of another visit from them and shall be extremely obliged for any Intelligence you may be pleased to communicate to us of their movements. P.S. We have just received a Letter from Geo: Mason and John Dalton Esqrs requesting the Loan of ten Barrels of Powder, which we have supplied them with for the use of your Colony. - 1. Council of Safety Letter Book, No. 1, Md. Arch. 2. Ibid., the Council notified Platter and Dent for their appointment the same day. 3. Journal and Correspondence of the Maryland Council of Safety, XI, 263).

Wed. 20 Mar 1776 A Warrant to Levin Powell for 䀍.0.11 for sundries L4 of which for a gun for Capt. West Co of regulars and 㿋.10 thereof for hunting shirts furnished Capt. Wm Washington's Comp. 3d Regmt. Major Levin Powell is empowered to purchase good muskets of the size formerly mentioned , as many as will be sufficient to arm the Prince William. Battalion of minute men, which are to be delivered to them; but in case the committee of safety upon notice of their being procured shall find them wanting for the regulars, they are to be delivered up for them and also one thousand cartooch boxes, upon the best terms he can, that he acquaint the comme wthhis contract for arms, as soon as they are made and he will be furnished with money to pay for the same, giving bond & security for a proper dispursement thereof. A warrant to Capt. Simon Triplett for 㿊.8.1 Ballance of his account for expenses, Arms &c of his company- minutemen from Prince William Dist. [and] to Capt. Triplett for wagonage to Loudoun for 㾺.12.6

Saturday 23d march 1776 Major Thomas Marshall of the 3d battalion, appeared, subscribed the articles of War was sworn & received his Continental Commission.

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