126 Journal and Correspondence

in this County I should have then returned it. I was nom-
inated by the officers of the Companies of w^h the lower Bat-
talion is composed, as a field officer of that Battalion & as the
Gentlemen thought me unworthy of a Comⁿ there, I beg leave
to return the one they sent me. I never aspired after a Comⁿ
any where, but as the gentlemen officers afs^d thought proper
to mention me in their return, I shou'd have done all in my
power to render them satisfaction had I been appointed.
I hope my refusal to act under this Commission may not be
construed into any disrespect shewn to you & those under
your command as I can assure you nothing of the sort is
intended.
I am respectfully
Your hum^l Servant.
To Col^o Joshua Beall. Geo. Lee.

C. S. J.

Wednesday 31 January 1776.
Council met. Present the same members as yesterday.

Ordered, That the Treasurer of the Western Shore pay to
M^r Hercules Courtenay two hundred & eleven pounds and
two pence Currency, being the Ballance due him from this
Province as p^r Account filed.
Ordered That a Letter in the following words be sent to
the Brigadiers General of this Province respectively

Baltimore Town 31 January 1776.
Sir,
As we are desirous of knowing what number of Muskets
are in the Hands of the Militia of your Brigade either belong-
ing to the public or to Individuals, we request you'll furnish us
with an Account of them as soon as you conveniently can, dis-
tinguishing to what Companies they respectively belong; and
those which are good and serviceable, from what are unfit for
use. And that you recommend to and earnestly admonish
those of your Militia whose Guns are out of Repair, and whose
Circumstances will admit of it, to have them immediately put
into good Order; but that if the Owners of any such Guns
cannot, from their Poverty, repair them and they are only
defective in the Locks, that you have the same repaired and
rendered fit for use at the public Expence. Writing immedi-
ately to the Colonels and other inferior Officers we recom-
mend as the best Method of gaining Information in the above
particulars.
We are very respectfully, Sir
Y^r mo. obed^t Serv^ts
(Signed by the Council)