[Extract] No 12
Gentln, The Convention have ordered that the sum of 10,000. £ be appropriated to fortify the City of Annapolis, and place obstructions in the River Severn, but as we have not, nor know of, an Engineer properly qualified to carry on the works, and your station may perhaps afford you an op portunity of assisting us with one; we beg you will make enquiry for and recommend to us some Person of knowledge and experience in that service;2 we are anxious to comply with the resolve of Convention; as Annapolis is very undefensible and we presume from it's advantageous situation wi[ll] be an object with the enemy ー...
[Annapolis] 7th July 1776.
1. Council of Safety Letter Book, No. 1, Md. Arch.
2. Thomas Stone replied on July 22 that he had no success in obtaining an engineer ー "Every man who ever fired a Cannon or was present at erecting any kind of fortification has been taken up for the Continental Service." Correspondence of Council of Safety, Md. Arch.
