"His Honor the Lieutenant Governor having made application to Major General Massey, that the two Light Infantry Companies of Marines should continue at Fort Cumberland, the General has consented to it, and takes this opportunity to inform their Brother Soldiers that Major Bald, (who commanded there in a late skirmish with the banditti rebels), in his report to Major General Massey, tells him "that the two Light Companies run at the rebels like lions, and behaved most bravely," which General Massey communicates to the garrison with vast pleasure." That gallant and good Officer, now Lord Clarina, ever ready to attend to suppliant merit, and the Soldiers wants, in general orders of the 24th of February, 1777, thus answers the Petition of the 1st Battalion of Marines:-- "Major General Massey often receiving a petition from the 1st Battalion of Marines (signed Launcelot Poverty), is happy to comply with their request, as their _uniform_ good behaviour, during the winter, well merits that indulgence. It is therefore his orders, that Major Souter permits the men to work as he shall judge proper, but that no substitutes must be allowed in their public duty." In the month of March, the Commander in Chief expecting some actual service, was pleased to nominate Lieutenant (now Colonel) Trollope, with a party of Marines, to be trained under Lieutenant Gillespie, of the Royal Artillery, to practice quick firing and traversing the great guns. Early in April the two Battalions were consolidated into one, by orders of the Board of Admiralty, addressed to Major Souter, to the following effect:-- "By the Commissioners for executing the office of Lord High Admiral of Great Britain and Ireland, &c.