of the Council of Maryland. 197

Except those rejected, and sold here, are delivered to Col^o Yeates, :
and M^r Jacob Hiltzheimer A Q. M. in Philadelphia, so that I have
not now one Horse Except the two Express Horses, nor a Cow
or Bullock except three cattle part of thirteen which had broke out
of my Inclosures and strayed away (which are recovered) hope to
hear of and procure the remainder of the others soon in a short
time, after which I shall make it a point to wait on your Excellency
and Honours with the account

December I

[Jos. Beall, Prince Georges C^ty to Gov. Lee]

Sir I look on it as my duty, to inform you as Supreme Majestrate
of this State, of a commotion that hapened in the Town of Bladens-
burgh a few days ago, which it seems amounted to an intended Riot.
A number of people it seems had determined to duck, Tar & feather
one Andrew Wailes who is a dealer in town, & one whome the
people heretofore have seemed fond of dealing with (tho a person
who I believe is no friend to America) it seems they had given
him notice to leave the town such a day, otherwise he must abide by
the consequences: As the man applyed to me as a Majestrate for
protection under the Laws of the country I went to town the day
they were to put their threats in Execution, and with the assistance
of M^r Henderson who he had likewise applyed to and some other
persons, who were determined to support our Bill of rights and con-
stitution, prevented their puting their threats in Execution. I have
understood their intention w^ras, first to begin with Wailes, and
then to fall on the Other Tradeing people in Town. This is occa-
sioned it seems by the Exorbitant prices they are selling their goods
at, and Especially Salt, which is now selling at £200. p^r Bushell
and some pains taken by the holders of it to make the people believe
it a favour to let them have it at that price for their money, as their
whole aime seems to be, to sell it for Pork only, and that at the rate
of 100^tt of pork p^r Bushell. I have heard within this day or two,
that in Alandria they talk of 200^tt of pork p^r Bushell. As pork is
likely to be a scarce article, this is no doubt with a view of geting
considerable Quantitys in their own hands, in Expectation of geting
Great and exorbitant prices for it hereafter for the use of our
Armies. It is amazing what strides some wretches will take towards
the ruin of their country & fellow Citizens, in order to make money
to themselves.
I always have and Ever shall look on Every man w^rho prefers his
own private intrest, to the Publick good, not only as Enemies to their
country & their own Posterity; But, as viled Rotten members of
the community to which they belong, & that they ought to be treated
as such, for short the people in general are so opprest by those kind
of Monsters in Hughman shape that unless some Salutary Laws

December 3