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[Pat. Sim Smith, Calvert, to Gov. Lee.] (Pr Mr Bayfield)
The bearer hereof George Bayfeild will deliver two fatted Steers,
that I have received since I sent up the last Twelve. I have no receipt
for them but from John Crisall, to whom Mr Bayfield says he was
directed to deliver them.
The salt meat provisions I have not yet Removed for the want of
Barrells or small Casks & it has not been in my power to procure
any. Could they possibly be procured at Annapolis, I could wish to
have Ten or twelve brought down, with a few bushells of Salt to
repack the meat tis now very fine & well secured in large Casks, but
fear twill not keep so well as in Barrells, and these Casks are very
unhandy, to remove.
I dont know that I shall be able to procure any more Beeff on the
Hoof this spring. However should I receive an order for that pur-
pose, twill induce me to execute it.
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May 2
Red Book
No. 27
Letter 74
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[Rich'd Dallam, Harford County, to Gov. Lee.]
I Finish'd last evening draughting the Militia of this County And
am sorry to inform Your Excellency that only 14 Classes of 37
have procured recruits and very few of them have yet received their
Bounty the scacity of Cash with us is so great that unless it will
please Your Excellency to give some further indulgence I shall be
obliged to Issue Executions agt 9 men out of 10 the County through
and from them I cannot hope to raise the money in any Short time.
The Sheriff informs me he executed a number of persons for 20 pCt
Tax attend'd often to sell their Effects but no one could purchase
from all the executions put into his hands for 20 p Ct Tax I have
not received a Shilling tho' I have reason to believe he has long ago
received the greater part of the money as he is now in Annapolis.
Your Excellency may have an opportunity of knowing the reason of
his delay of payments why he should not pay the penalty the Law
inflicts for not delivering to me the Cash. There are so many com-
plaints of his misconduct in Office, that he deserves no favour, his
Practice from Numberless informations is to charge his Commissions
on Continental money debts in hard money, if I have grantd execution
for 5£ continental he charges 10/ hard money which at an exchange
of 120 for one makes the debt & fees 65£ Many of his receipts prove
this practice I have one where he received 195£ for 23. 12.0. if he pro-
ceeds to sell Effects the Costs are more then dubble as this practice
is unwarrantable by any Law or Custom I give Your Excellency the
information that his Conduct may be further enquired into, the facts
can be well supported by the best of evidence I hope some Power
exists to suspend him from the execution of his Office at least. The
Conduct of our Sheriff makes it much more distressing to me to Issue
such a Number of Executions & am well convinced every Advantage
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May 3
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