The Committee of Observation took into Consideration the following Letter from the Council of Safety

Annapolis 5 March 1776

We have just recieved intelligence, that a large Ship, supposed to be the Forty Four Gun Man of War, and two Sloops, are on their way up the Bay-Their Destination is not known, but as they may intend for your Town, we send off this Express, that you may be on your Guard and make all the Preparations in your Power for your Defence

We are with Respect Gentm Yr most Obedt Servts

Upon Motion Resolved, That a Boat be sent down immediately to reconnoitre, and bring Intelligence respecting the Man of War &c assoon as possible, & that Capt Nicholson be requested to order his Tender on that Service, which he complied withー

Resolved, That an Express by Water, and another by Land be sent immediately to Elk to hasten down the Powder & the small Arms belonging to this Province, and that it be directed to Mr Henry Hollingsworth with a Request to him to forward them either by Land or Water, as he shall judge expedient & William Stenson was accordingly dispatched by Land, and Joseph White & Joseph Gotro onboard Capt Hollingsworth by Waterー

Resolved, That General Andrew Buchanan be requested to provide Expresses to be kept in Readiness to be dispatched upon any Emergency within the Circle of his Jurisdiction, and that if the Council of Safety do not pay the Expence, that this Committee will do itー

Resolved, That Capt George Woolsey & Wm Hugh Young collect all the Gunflints in Town and render an Accot of the same to this Committee, & that they be lodged with Capt Woolsey

Resolved, That it is necessary to have the Publick Records of this County immediately packed up in Chests, in order for their Removal to a Place of Safetyー

Resolved, That no Vessells depart this Port without the further Orders of this Committee & that Capt Nicholson be requested to see this Order carried into Executionー