Baltimore, July 4, 1776 ー five o'clock.
Gentlemen:
I was favoured with your commands last evening, but too late to get the ship under way.2 Am now proceeding with the ship and tenders, and shall lose no opportunity in getting to Annapolis as soon as possible, to wait your further commands. I am, gentlemen, [&c.]
James Nicholson.
To the Honourable the Convention of Maryland.
1. Force, comp., American Archives, 4th, VI, 126.
2. See Journal of the Maryland Convention, July 3, 1776, ordering the ship Defence to Annapolis immediately.