of the Council of Maryland. 193

opinion of four principle Inhabitants regarding them (which I
inclosed in my last) in order that no time might be lost or un-
necessary Expence in keeping the Horses (gone into) after take-
ing their opinions I thought it most adviseable to advertise them
for Sale at public Auction with the Boilers belonging to the Salt
Petre works, and some old waggon Iron and other matters unfit for
Service belonging to the United States, which has been fully done
and this is the day of Sale, as it is very wett and bad, fear the
sale cant go on, in which case I shall send them off on monday with
what waggons and Teams there are (for your City) according to
your resolution of the 14^th as the detaining them here, untill they
could be properly advertised again, would be prolonging the time
and Expence much, I am the more hastened in this matter as the
Horses are in the public Stables, which have more then once been
demanded of me by Col^o Yeates for the Continental Horses should
the day clear up so that the People come in I shall Expose them
to Sale, if otherways must send them to your Excell^y and Honours,
the cattle are vet on hand, though on showing Col^o Yeates a copy
of your letter he promised to receive them the next day and has put
it of from day to day, ever since, tis now to be put off untill Monday,
when if they are not received I shall give the matter up, and write
to your Excellency and Honours on it, their Expence here is great
and the Cattle considerably worse of the delay, as tis impossible to
properly feed so many Cattle together when I left Annapolis I
flattered myself of returning ere now and haveing my papers laid
before the Judges for their determination regarding the supposed
Forgery, as the delay occasioned by the Public business, and not by
my own, or any choice of mine, I flatter myself this will not be con-
strued to any disadvantage, and will thank your Excellency to
inform them the Judges the cause of the delay, and that the earliest
hour in my power shall be embraced to lay the papers before them,
which I flatter myself will be within two weeks from this date or
sooner if in my power, when I have no doubt of giving both them
and your Excellency and Honours full satisfaction regarding my
conduct in General (and that matter in particular)
P. S. What Teams arc not received by Col^o Yeates and are fit
for service shall be sent on as soon as possible

November

25

Friday November 25^th 1780 O[f] f Tangier Island

On Board the Brigg Cato at a Board of enquiry held this Day
between the Officers of said Brigg and the Schooner Nautuless
whether it should be thought proper, after recieving Inteligence from
on Board a Brigg Commanded by one Capt. Keel that he had been
chased as high as the lower Tangiers last night by a Ship, 3 Briggs
& Two Schooners and at the time of the Assignment of this, a Vessell
13

November
25