408 Journal and Correspondence.

Red Book
No. 20

in the course of a short time he found himself in possession of the
nominal sum of his whole Fortune, paid in to him contrary to his
wishes. In that situation he had nothing left but to employ his
money in Trade, or be utterly ruined. A few Days before this
violent Frost sat in, he went to Baltimore, laid out a large sum of
Money for articles of Trade, to employ him thro' the Winter. The
Vessel bearing his purchases from Baltimore was caught in the
Ice, & was lost with her whole Cargoe — Such is the fate of this
Worthy man.
Should your Excellency with your Council, have any appoint-
ments to make on this Shore, that would be advantageous, I can
pledge myself you will not be deceived by applying to M^r Voorhees,
who I think has a competent knowledge of business for the trans-
acting any matters he may be entrusted with, with that kind of
integrity which is not common enough amongst Man Kind

January 27
Red Book
No. 27
Letter
No. 39

[Robt. Conway, Alexandria to Gov Lee]

Sir Should you want a Commander for a vessel, thats proper for
the times to trade to any part of Europe; or the westindes I am
ready & willing to act in such a one as you think me deserving of ;
If such a person be wanting & you think me proper; the sooner you
Inform me the better, because Immediately after the Ice brakes
away I shall proceed Down the River, to Wiccomoco in Virginia

January 27

[W. Smith, Baltimore, to Gov. Lee " In Council "]
Sir I am directed to repeat my application, to your Excellency,
for permission to load with flour &^ca the Brigantine Hawke, Captain
Taylor, for the use of the fleet & army of his most Christian majesty,
in the West Indies. Should this requisition be granted your favour-
ing me with a permit by return of the Saturdays post, another good
opportunity, will save the expence of an express to Annapolis, for
that purpose as I am directed to load this Brig to be ready to proceed
to sea at the breaking up of the frost. I would Just leave to observe
that I have some reason to believe, that my conduct respecting the
French flour in my possession has been greatly misrepresented at
your Board, by the Comm^rs for seizing flour &^ca in this town. I am
told they have said, I spoke in very disrespectful terms, of your
Excell^y & the Council and I would wish to have it in my po.wer to
remove any impressions to my prejudice from your Honble board,
for whose character I have the greatest respect, therefore if not im-
proper, I would be much obliged by a coppy of their letter so far as
my character is concerned

January 28

[Rich'd Dallam, Harford County, to Gov. Lee]
Sir I am indebted to M^r Samuel Hughs for wheat purchased from
his Overseer on Spesutia Island and as he informs me he wants the