Weak from the barbarous Usage, often entreated to sit down a Minute, but was refused; that they then dragged this Deponent through a Pool of Water on the Road, and that, from appearance, many of them were Men of Property. This Deponent, being certain of further Injury to his Person, as Horsemen were passing and repassing continually, being then near George Town, this Deponent entreated Releasement, but was refused, alledging he was to be given up a second time to the Brutality of another Set of Men. This Deponent approaching the Town, he began to apprehend his Life in the utmost Danger, the People assembling and crying out an Informer, Tar and Feathers; that this Deponent providentially seeing Light in the house of one Pillotson in George Town, cried out incessantly Murder, upon which his Mouth was attempted to be stopped, which brought forth numbers of People with Lights. The Assailants crying Out Lights, and dragged this Deponent along. He then made a vigorous Effort and pushed amongst some Gentlemen whose Protection he implored. That he believes he was upwards of three Hours in the Hands of a Mob, suffering the most inhuman Treatment. Notwithstanding this Deponent's sufferings his Lodgings were surrounded all Night, and he was apprehensive of being again Attacked, he therefore stood on the Defensive 'til almost Morning; that on the ensuing Day he received frequent Information of another Assault being intended that Evening by a Number in George Town, which caused this Deponent to retreat to the Woods and secret himself until the Fifth. That George Town being in his District and where his Duty may frequently call him, this Deponent apprehends from the Language of the People if he returns he is not to expect Lenity, nor can he think of returning to his Department 'til proper Measures are adopted for his Security in prosecuting His Majesty's service. That this Deponent has reason to believe said Oliver Gallop was concerned in this Deponent's barbarous treatment for Reasons assigned before. That this Deponent has never or yet received any of the Stolen Goods, but has received Information that the Names of the Waggoners are Shahahan and White, the former a strong looking Man, and the latter lower sized, and that they both belong to Duck Creek, and further saith not.

SOME REVOLUTIONARY LETTERS.

Dear Sir,

SMALLWOOD TO WASHINGTON.

Camp Middle Brook Decem. 30th 1778

When I waited on you the other Evening, before your departure to Philadelphia, I found you too much engaged to impart my sentiments on two subjects, which I have ever had in view to mention at the close of the Campaign. There are circumstances in my present situation, which have long wounded my Feelings, and have become so injurious, that they must, I fear, force me (tho' with Reluctance) to quit the service. The Injury in the first Instance rests with Congress and the Members therein from our State to remedy-the other it's in your Power to R[emedy], but may more properly become the Subject of another Ltr, as I am fully persuaded of your Disposition to act with Propriety in every Instance, and do justice to every Individual.

My motives and complaints have hitherto been suppressed, from an Impression that our Affairs wou'd not justify my deserting the service of my Country, but now our Prospects are better, and our Liberty and Independance, I hope, established on a pretty sure Basis. An Officer who has faithfully served three years to effect this, may with a good Grace Resign his commission, when he suffers unmerited Indignity and Neglect.

I have served the Continent upwards of two years as a Brigadier, the only General Officer from our State, which has had in the Field almost during that Time, a Major and two Brigadier Generals' Commands, and I appeal to you and the Public, if these Officers in general have not meritd as much from the Continents, as the Officers of any other State. Yet they have been most shamefully neglected, and the Troops in some Instances have

suffered for want of that Attention which wou'd have been more naturally render'd by Officers immediately from the State. This must be consider'd not only as a Reflection on the Officers in the Maryland Line, but on the State, as it must be infer'd her Natives in point of capacity and merit, are either inadequate to the Command, or are thought to be so by her Members in Congress-tho the Presumption is scarcely admissible in either Instance, upon a Retrospective View of sundry Appointments, and some few Promotions which have taken Place.

Allow me to suggest, that Col! Gist who has been an equal Time in service, and has distinguished himself as a Gallant Officer, has not been less neglected.

The Partial and rapid Promotion of Foreigners, whether from motives of Policy or misconception, have been at least inconsiderate and disgusting to every honest American (over whose Heads they have been promoted) who have and must still bear the brunt in this contest.

I never did nor never shall address Congress or my Country on the subject of Promotion; there is a Delicacy which forbids this, in the Breast of every man of modesty and true merit, tho we are told that a little Attention and Adulation have made no small Advances even in the Continental Line of PromotionYet I cou'd never entertain a Sentiment so derogatory to the distinguish'd merit and known sense of so venerable and respectable a Body as Congress, and Heaven forbid that an American Officer shou'd ever descend so low, as to commence Courtier to obtain his just Views-a Character which the true soldier must ever hold in the utmost contempt.

I have the Honor to remain
with sincere Regard

Your Excellencys

Most Obed Hble Sert

W. Smallwood

General Washington

I take this oppertunity by Lieu! Armstrong of acknowledgeing the Receipt of your favour of the 30th November by Capt Lynch who has but just arrived, and am happy to hear of Mrs Gist's Recovery.

The Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania Brigades are hutted here, where we experience cold in the extreme, scarcity of Provision, Liquor and Almost a total want of forrage and other Necessaries, with which if we abounded our situation, would then be but barely sufferable, but destitute of these comforts I leave you to judge of our ineligible state and to rejoice that you have not, nor I hope may not, partake of it till a more agreeable change takes plaee, 'tho' a very Little experience of it might perhaps heighten and enlarge your Taste and relish of the Pleasures you now enjoy, which I sincerely wish you the continuance of.

Lord Sterling is Commander in Chief, de Kalb the second. The T-k-d and Chess B-d I believe are often arranged and perhaps engage the Attention much more than Saxe's Reveries or Monsieur Vauban on Fortification & The Baron continues as good natured and well disposed as usual granting everything, and undoing to day what he ordered and did yesterday upon Application, tho' often at the expence of his Sense and judgement as a Military Man.

The Jersey troops are arranged from Hackinsack along the sound to Amboy to intercept the communication and give notice of a descent should the Enemy attempt an Excursion or create a Diversion in this Quarter. McDougall and the Eastern troops are Posted from Danbury to Peeks and Fish Kills, and keeps up a Communication with West Point; Gates at Boston Sullivan

adjacent to Rhode Island, Clinton with his Brigade at Albany, Hand and Pulaski on the Northern Frontier of York State against the Indians.

I have

money from his Excellency to Pay the Continental and State Bounties to the Nine Men and have inlisted upwards of one Hundred. Our Governor has just wrote me he will shortly forward money to pay the State Bounty and One Hundred and fifty Pounds to each of our Officers to purchase Cloaths. It's a handsome present but it will not answer the purpose so well as a supply of Clothing as extortion has become so prevalent and engrossers and mercenary persons will of Public Necessities.

not fail to a

It is rumour'd that the cork fleet is intercepted

without foundation, should this be fact it might force the Enemy would risque an Excursion or two into the

to

Country to procure

out they intend to remain in the City.

thence, but they give

Thousand Russians, who they expect in the spring, but
General Washington has been some time in

his

was various and important, and

tain,

as its

probable the Decisions of congress thereon will not be speedy. This must still protract the settlement of Rank in our Line, which is a double injury to our Officers, as one of his Principal Objects in view was to make the arrangement under the new Regulation.

I suppose you have seen the Resolution of our Assembly, explaining the Resolution of a former Assembly, or the Powers meant to be confered by them to the General respecting his settling the Rank in our line. I believe such a Construction is peculiar to, and could have been formed by no other set of men, tho' perhaps they are not so much to blame as some of our Own officers who have been medling and may have deceived them.

Under the present construction Col! Hall claims Rank of you, and all the Field Officers of the Regular Corps, I will write you fully in my next on this Subject. Upon the General's return he promised me the perusal of the Assembly's Letter & which will enable me to form a better judgment, and write with more pre