178 Letters to the Governor and Council

April 10
Tuesday
Morning
Red Book
No. 28
Letter 8

Marlbro na Clock
Meeting with John Bardin going to Annapolis in a Cart for Arms
for Charles. I take the opportunity to send from
Bowie's Store 4 1/2 R^ms English Post, 8 d^o french, 4 R^ms folio
Post grand, 3 box's wafers,1 1/2 doz. Ink powder, 6^lbs [Osnab^g]
thread, in a Trunk upon good terms.
I have agreed for 150 pair of good strong English shoes at I3/
a p^r in Tobacco at 15/ [illegible] & 4 p C^t if you approve it; the Man
waiting I have only to add my Respects.

April 10
Red Book
No. 32
Letter 31

[Joseph Wilkinson, Lower Marlbro, to Gov. Lee.] ( Favor'd by
Capt. Maynard)

I am informed by Col^o Smith that he has given you an Account
of the Enemys plundering this place on Sunday morning last, after
that they proceeded with the Vessels they had taken & their plunder
directly down the river, at the mouth of which they met the two
Ships and Brigg that have been up the Bay and Continued down in
Company as far as they Could be seen. Notwithstanding this I am
informed that a barge came yesterday evening to Cedar point, and
last night a House was seen on fire near that place supposed to be
M^r Nicholas Sewalls It is more than probable they will return again
the first fair wind, and as such depredations have been committed
and are likely to continue, I think it absolutely necessary to fix & keep
light Guards at different places on the river in order to alarm the
Inhabitants of their approach and prepare the militia to act wherever
they may attempt to Land — a few men fixed at different Stands &
to be allowed to keep good Horses would give such intelligence as
to prevent their plundering the publick warehouses and in a great
measure the Inhabitants on the Water. Should your Excellency
approve of this plan you will I hope impower me to put it in execu-
tion immediately & to continue it untill I receive your orders to the
contrary.
You will please also to direct Col^o Smith to furnish such Guards
with provisions & the militia also, should it be necessary to call
them out
Col^o Fitzhugh and other Gentlemen of this County had it in Con-
templation before the late affair happen'd to apply for four peices of
Artillery to be fixed at a convenient place on the narrows of this
River, and mann'd with forty or fifty militia from this and Prince
Georges County together with eight or Ten select artilery men — the
Militia to be relieved alternately — for this purpose they had prepared
a letter, which was destroyed whilst the Enemy were here for fear of
a discovery I am induced now at their request to make the applica-
tion and as time will not allow me to enter into particulars, must refer
you to Capt Maynard who is kind enough to be the bearer of this, and