The memorial of Thomas Sparrow, Humbly sheweth— That agreable to the warrant your Honours was pleased to grant me for the purpose of recruiting men for the service of this State, I repaired to Dorchester county where I had had the promise of a sufficient number, and firmly believes that I could have enlisted them, but for the reasons hereafter mentioned.
    I was four days on my passage from Annapolis to Cambridge, and on my arrival Major Thomas Muse being dead, I was obliged to wate a week before I could acquaint your Honours therewith. Colonel Traverse knowing the disapointment I had met with, told me he was going to Annapolis, and should soon return with an answer, if I would write to have another Gentleman appointed to assist me with cash for the recruits. I waited six days after Colonel Travers's return to his House at Hooper's Island for the letter directed to Capt Daffin, which Gentleman supply'd me with a Horse to ride for it, as Col. Traverse had omitted to send it to him. I received the letter, and on my return to Cambridge, heard the corps belonging to Dorchester County was to meet at the Lightwood knot chapple. Mr Peter Carvil told he would ride to that place with me, and made no doubt but that I would enlist thirty men, as he had heard many intended to meet me there for that purpose. I had not received any cash, but as that opportunity offered, I concluded to advance the Small Sum I had to bear my expences, which if not Sufficient, Mr Carvil offered to supply me with, and to do him justice he was the only friend I had in the field who had courage enough to stand by me. I proceeded to do my duty, and undertook to read the resolve of Convention with respect to raising  matrosses. One of the Company told me it was all false and if any man should enlist, he would be sent to Philadelphia, and not to Annapolis, and that they were damned fools that would go to either to fight against their King. I then told him he was a Tory. another told me I should not come there to find any thing else; I told him I hoped to find it otherwise. A young man then desired to hear the proposals; I attempted to read them to him, but one of the Company struck the paper, and many of them made such a noise, that prevented me from informing  

but my friends advised me not, as It was expected many of Capt. Andrew's men would be there, and I should be used ill. I complained to many of the Committee, and in particular to Capt. Daffen and Mr Ennalls who told me the night I came away they were sorry  I was so ill used, but that it was out of their power to help it, and advised me to apply to your Honours, who I hope will find my Conduct in this matter to have been such as will not disgrace the warrant you Honoured me with, which conduct I am determined to pursue in any station you may think proper to place me in, if it is only a private, and  hope that the trifling eregularities I have some years ago committed, may not prevent me from being prefer'd according to the services I have, and am willing to render in the present dispute.
        

January 5th 1777.           Thomas Sparrow