Sir
My last gave you an Account that forty to fifty of Captain
Browne's Men had been for some time at the Bay Side wait-
ing for Vessels to carry them, they on Wednesday last in
three small Vessels set off, and that Night got under the
Western Shore, nigh Patapsco. the Gale of Wind that came
up the next Morning obliged them all to run into Chester for
a Harbour, where, either thro' Mismanagement or from its
over blowing, they all went on Shore, one of the Vessels
immediately sprung a Leak and threw over Board about
thirty Barrels of Bread, and some other provision, many of
the Men I hear are Frost bitten: they are all returning and
determined to a Man not to go, let the Consequence be what
it will. My Declaration made in the most solemn manner
that if no other Officer in the County would do his Duty, yet
I would do mine, and that I never would undertake to say that
a Law allowed by all to be in Force, ought not to be executed,
I am convinced was the Cause of these Men's going, to speak
my Mind freely, I look upon the Law to be as cruel as it pos-
sibly can be, and if fully Executed must ruin the People, and
since this Accident has happened (tho' I am certainly sure it
is thro' Mismanagement of the Officers from the very first
Orders) I hope your Excellency will excuse me when I say, I
am determined never more to give any Orders of the Sort for
the future. Now as it seems an Inconsistency for any Man to
hold a Commission that he will not fully execute, I shall with
the greatest Pleasure return mine if agreeable to your Excel-
lency, and shall be greatly pleased some more qualified Person
supplies my place. I take the Liberty to wish your Excel-
lency a great Deal of Happiness, and to say that I am with
very great Esteem, your obed^t humble Servant
Kent County Mar: 7: 1758 Rich^d Lloyd