282 Journal and Correspondence

C. S. C.

great Want of that necessary Article, and are afraid it will be
some Time before we shall be able to provide them, and that
the Soldiers in the mean Time may suffer very much for Want
of them. Under these Circumstances & from the Zeal you
have manifested in the Cause, we make no Doubt but that
you will readily spare all you possibly can, notwithstanding
you may have laid them aside for the Use of your own Family.
You'll please to write us on this Subject by the first Opportu-
nity and acquaint us what Blankets you may think proper to
supply the Public, and the Price, for which we will send you
an Order on the Treasurer & order them directly here.
25^th March 1776

[Lee's Petition.]

The Humble petⁿ of Robert Lee :
To the Honourable the Council of Safety for the Province of
Maryland, Sheweth. That your pet^r on Wednesday the 7^th of
this instant February being in company at Lower Marlbro (not
then being sensible of the engagement he then had entered
into and being over persuaded) entered inadvertantly into the
thirteen united colonies service not considering the danger and
distress his aged mother would be involved in by his engage-
ment with one Frizby Freeland to perform work for him which
he cannot under his present situation do: That your pet^r wo^d
always be ready to serve his country in defence of Freedom,
but at this time it will be the total ruin of his aged parent, as
she now lives in the house hired by him of the said Frisby
Freeland who will distrain for rent unless he is able to per-
form his agreement with him: That your pet^rs mother is
upwards of sixty years of age and has no dependance for
support but by your pet^rs labour: Your pef most humbly
pray you would consider him in your kind compassion as a
dutyfull child and grant him his discharge, And your pet ^ras in
duty bound will ever pray &c.
[February 1776]

[Kent and Henry to Council.]

Head Quarters Northampton, Virginia 23^th March 1776.
Honble Gentⁿ We Imbrace this opportunity by Captⁿ Kell,
who has been some weeks blocked up in this harbour by Ten-
ders, on Monday evening last a Tender came into Cherriton
Creek and carried out a sloop belonging to Isaac Vaughn and
got Captⁿ Kells schooner under way but luckily run aground