of the Council of Maryland. 115

[Rob Armstrong, St Mary's County, to Gov Lee]

Sir Your Publick letter of August last came safe to hand Agree-
able to your directions therein, I have done all in my Power to
procure for the Publick either Money or Tobacco, from the Inhabi-
tants of this Neighbourhood, but find my Solicitation to be of no
Effect; the people Generally complain, that they will be compelled
to sell part of their Property, to pay of their Taxes and of Course
have nothing to Lend. The damage done me the 23^rd of August
and the 16^th Instant by the Enemy has wholy disabled me from
rendering my Country any Service in that way. I have received of
Cap^t John Mackall one crop note and agreeable to the ace' for pro-
curing a Loan have forwarded it to the Treasurer of the Western
Shore.

September

21

Red Book
No. 27
Letter
No. 19

[Ben Stoddert, Secry, War Office, to the officer Commanding the
new raised Regt of Maryland, Annapolis]

Sir The board think proper to direct That you proceed from :
Annapolis as soon as circumstances will permit, on your March to
Join the Southern Army by way of Alexandria to orange Court
House & from thence by Charlotteville to Hillsborough.
Alexandria being but two or three days march from Annapolis.
Your men can take Provisions enough with them to last them
thither, should there be no Issuing Post between.
You will write to Col James Wood Commanding at Charlotte-
ville, informing him when you expect to leave Annapolis. & on your
March give him information of your movements by every private
opportunity, it will not be necessary that you send Expresses.

If on your route to Charlotteville you should receive orders from
Col. Wood to halt, or hasten your March you will obey them, &
from thence forward put yourself entirely under his Command,
but if Col Wood should not find it necessary to alter your destina-
tion, you will proceed as already directed.

September

21

Red Book
No. 7
Letter
No. 200

[Cha's. Blake, Corsica, to Gov. Lee.]

Sir I receiv'd yrs. of the 13^th by Col^o Feddeman and £200, you '
there desire me to send for Cash when wanting, what I have as yett
receiv'd has been so trifling that it was in hand but a few hours.
I hope by the first opportunity to receive a sum that will enable
me to do something. Many Gentⁿ here do all in their power to
establish the creditt of the money by taking it in preference to the
other, and I hope the lower Class will be influenc'd by their example.
I believe a very considerable sum may now be passed here by giving
part Continental which I shall be able to do by receiving the 15 p C^t
from M^r Hemsley. In y^r letter of the 4^th you mention that wheat
must be had on the best terms, but wish it may not exceed one and

September

21