396 Journal and Correspondence.

January 2

before the pork purchase begun; It is true I have but a poor prospect
to effectuate it for for the want of cash: yet on public faith I get
some at £75.. — .. — & so being determined not to exceed that price
unless I am ordered: tho' private purchasers have given in my neigh-
bourhood £80.. — .. — & the rise of the market; £85.. — .. — & £100,
Certain, and that I am informed M^r Page in Kent County purchasing
for the States under Col Patrick Ewing gives £100.. — .. — p hun-
dred weight for it but I can't take on me to follow those Examples
who are too ruinous to the public Credit, and I believe all pork
might have been purchased at £75.. — .. — p hundred weight and the
Sellers satisfyed
Should I be able to Cross the baye from Kent Island I shall wait
on your Excellency Tuesday next; but should the weather prevent
it, I shall be much obliged to you to send me p the return of the
bearer M^r Grason, the Commodore's nephew, an order on the Treas-
urer of the State on the Eastern shore, by which my present distress
may be alleviated, and I may be able to go on with the large purchases
expected from me; for without timely assistance I am ruined, The
Army must Suffer or the necessaries hereafter procured at a con-
siderable advance.
Your flour was not ready to send p the Plater since Ten days it
is in Store at Emerson's landing on this river and I shall forward
it to Annapolis p first opportunity after the navigation at that place
is free from Ice, as the waggoning of it to the mouth of the river
would cost upwards of Sixty pounds, about £6.. — .. — p bar^l
Superfine flour p C^t £60.. — .. — Common ditto p C^t 52.. — ..10 —

January 3

[W. Smith, Baltimore, to Gov. Lee " in Councill "]

Sir I am directed by the Agent general for the Marine of France
to load flour for the fleet & army of his most Christian Majesty in
the West Indies, on Board the Brig. Hawke, commanded by Capt.
Taylor.

The Hawke mounts ten carriage guns and will carry about thirty
men. I must therefore request your Excellency will send p the bearer
hereof of a permission to take this Cargo on Board.
This State has an Acc^t against me for shot furnish'd Capt. Harri-
son of the Defence. If convenient I wish to have by return of the
bearer to enable me to close the Acco^ts of that unfortunate adventure.
p. S. You'll oblige me much by despatching the bearer as soon
as may be, as he goes express on this business

January 3

[W. Smith, Baltimore, to Gov. Lee]

Sir Since I closed my letter of this date I have seen an Extract
from an Acc^t of Assembly, for supplying the Army with flour &c^a
by which Comm" are empowered to seize in the hands of all persons