of the Council of Maryland. 129

I am Convinced all our most Valuable Negros will run away Twento
ad of them are already gone
pray give Sum Direction a bought the Desarters &^c

[Hughes & Williamson Baltimore to His Excellency
Thomas S. Lee]

May it please Your Excellency On the 16^th May ult. we sold
M^r Randall Sundry Linens for the use of the State as per bill fur-
nished him amount £5720.. 12...6 for which Sum he gave us a Bill
on your Excellency payable in three weeks which we have once pre-
sented but which the State of the Treasury at that time we believe
prevented from being paid, the express conditions of the Sale were,
to be paid in three weeks and the sum contracted for made good to
us in case there should be any depreciation we need not represent
the Loss we have sustained from the want of that sum which though
small bears the same proportion as a greater, but now hope the
Treasury is in a Situation to discharge the Publick debts and beg
your Excellency will please to pay M^r James Tootell the sum due
us viz

September
30
Red Book
No. 26
Letter
No. 51
September
30

Principal due the 6^th June f 5720.. 12...6
Exchange then @ 60 for 1
difference now 15 is 74 1430.. 3- 1/4

75 the present Exch. 7150.. 15...7^2

[George Dashiell, Som't County to His Excellency Thos Sim Lee]

Sir By a letter from Col^o Stone of the 13^th Ins^t it appears my
last to your Excellency was without A date, My inattention how-
ever to that circumstance, I hope was not of Great consequence.
The counties of Somerset & Worcester are at this time invaded on
every quarter by the Enemy's Cargos and tenders, and the inhabi-
tants plundered in the most shamefull manner of every species of
Property worth taking nor can the Militia prevent their depreda-
tions in many parts contiguous to the water & accessible to their
Vessels. On Sunday night last two or three barges on board of
which were 30 or 40 Saylors Tories & negroes, came up Nanticoke
river as far as Vienna, Burnt Several valuable vessels, and plundered
the inhabitants on the river of their Slaves and Valuable Effects;
and on Annemessix the people have shared the same fate; I am
informed of A number of arm'd boats being in Pocomoke river, and
several privateers are constantly cruising in Tangier Sound (which
frequently come to the mouth of Wicomico & Nanticoke rivers
To prevent further ravages I have ordered A detachment of Militia
on duty, at Places most exposed to their incursions I hope my con-

9

September
30
Red Book
No. 26
Letter
No. 52