Letters to the Council. 469

with yours as soon as you can in which I would wish you to charge
in one article the amount of the debts you owe in your public
capacity at the same time transmitting, on a Separate paper, a list
of the particular sums which compose that article and the names
of the persons to whom they are respectively due.
I should also be glad to be informed, how many of them are
ascertained by the printed certificates lately sent to you, and could
wish they were all on that footing as well for our own convenience
as because I am persuaded it would be beneficial to the creditors and
the most probable road to obtain payment for them.

Red Book

No. 18

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

Sir I am now to acknowledge receipt of your Excellencys Letter
dated the 5^th Instant inclosing a permit for Loading the Schooner
Baltimore & the Resolve of the general Assembly respecting the
flour to be delivered the french Agent. The Naval officer has also
informed me he has received your instructions for permiting the
Bread & flour, requested, to be exported to Virginia.
As soon as I have it in my power you shall be duly informed of
the Amount of my purchase for the Marine of France. I have pressd
all those persons employed by me in that Business to deliver in their
accounts as speedily as possible. I am directed by the Honble the
Board of Admiralty to take charge of & sell the continental Stores
at this place, they inform that 6 of 12 pounders were lent to this
State & employed on board the gallies. I am directed to apply for
those guns. Your Excellency will therefore please to give orders
for the delivery of them, at this place.

I am quite Satisfied with the explanation of your letter dated the
17^th of Jan^ry As I supposed the french Agent was in possession of
a Coppy of that letter, & that he might be induced, from some
expressions therein contain'd to believe, I had done some unjusti-
fiable acts, as well to his Prejudice as to the public, I only wish'd
to satisfy him on that head.

As to public clamours & groundless insinuations which have been
industriously propogated to my prejudice, by low, designing men,
I despise; a little time will shew the falsity of the many reports
circulated respecting this Transaction; at the same time I confess
I wish to remove any impressions that may have been made to my
prejudice from the worthy part of the community, and will readily
own I felt uneasy under what I thought reflected on my conduct in
the extract of your letter refer'd to.
I am always ready to give the general Assembly every informa-
tion in my power on this Subject when required

April 13