98 Journal and Correspondence

the fleet lay outside of her, they are very quiet and give us no
disturbance. The Roebuck and three or four large ships went
up the river the evening before I got here, since which a
number of cannon have been fired as I suppose near the
mouth of Nanjemoy. I have order'd the other two peices of
Cannon to the Lower Camp and shall as soon as the nine
pounder arrives order that there and if intrenching tools which
I have sent after can be had thro up an Intrenchment as near
the Fowey as possible. I find great difficulty in procuring
necessarys, it is the poorest part of the country I ever was in.
I suppose not three spades and shovels to be had within ten
miles. We have several Deserters from the Enemy most of
them in the small pox. A valuable negro made his escape
from us last night he not being so well guarded as he ought
owing to the people's being afraid of the small pox. The
shores are full of Dead Bodies chiefly negroes. I think if they
stay here any time they must be ruined, for by Deaths Deser-
tions and the Worm I think their business must be done com-
pleatly. The officers who have been here some time immagine
about fifty corps have been thrown on the shores.

Upon my arrival here I was inform'd that Gen^l Dent had
ordered a flagg of Truce on board the Fowey to request a
passage for M^r Daniel Wolstenholm to go to England with his
property and that this was done in consequence of a passport
M^r Wolstenholm obtained from the Committee of this county
and that he expected a boat every day to take him on board,
but as matters are circumstanced I thought it adviseable not
to suffer M^r Wolstenholm to leave the Province until your
knowledge and approbation could be had relative to this Buis-
ness, therefore hope for your instructions by the return of this
express who promises to return Immeaditly.

I am Gentⁿ Your most obed^t Serv^t
Tho^s Price.

P. S. The Fowey and Otter with about fifty sail of vessels
are still here. This express to be paid by your Board.

	Original	[Price to Council.]
		Upper Camp St George's 23rd July 1776. Gentlemen. About two hours after I sent of the Express to you (which I had promised to detain 'till twelve o'clock and did to give Mr Wolstenholm an opportunity of writing to your Board) I rec'd the enclosed packett from Colo Barnes, the Messenger told me on delivering it that it was for me and without looking at