198 Journal and Correspondence

December 3

are Speedily Enacted & put in force, to restrain them in their Evil
practices, it will be out of the power of the civil Magistrate to keep
up any kind of Order, or decorum among the people
I have been now nearly half my time in the Commition of the
peace for this county, during which, and more Especially since our
change of Government, I have Endeavoured, as far as my weak
abilitys would allow me, to Enforce a strict and due Execution to
the Laws of the State, knowing that any country Whatever, and
Especially in its infancy, a State in which we may look on ourselves
to be at present, can no more be supported without a Strict and due
Execution of the Laws by which it ought to be Governed; Than
the Natural body can be supported without the Necessary food or
Aliment for its Nurishment.
I have Ever, and always shall be willing to do every thing in my
power for the good of my countrey. But unless some more Effectual
Laws are Enacted to put a stop to those viled, oppressive & Extor-
tionate doings that are daily carrying on among us, I must & shall
beg leave to resigne
P. S. I should be glad to know if one William Pope does not
stand as a deserter on the Maryland Rolls, I have understood he
went off in that Carriter, and is now returned, indeed I could wish
to have a list of all those who has been recruited in this country
and have deserted

December 4

[Richard Dallam to Gov. Lee asks $1000 continental money.]

December 5

[John Cockey, Baltimore County, to Gov, Lee.]

Sirs I have sent you i Waggon and gears with Nine horses, a
few Days past one horse Strayed or was Stolen from my pasture I
will do all in my Power to get him again and send him Down.
Inclos'd you have an Order you gave me on one of the Collectors
for Baltimore. I have since seen him he tells me he has none but
New Money, I have been Inform'd M^r W^m Cromwell one of the
Collectors has about Eight thousand Pounds in his possession if you
think proper to give me an Order on him I will wait on him.
N B. I would not have given you so much trouble but I promis'd
those I purchased from Continental money

December 5

[M. Rawlings, Fort Frederick, to Gov. Lee]

Sir I have the honour to inform your Excellency, that since I
left Annapolis, have waited on both the Collectors of Frederick &
Washington and they inform that tis not in their power to Furnish
me with any money at this Time, and they say they do not know
when it will, as there is orders on them already prior to mine, indeed
the Collector of Washington says thus, not near money Enough to
Collect as will pay my order,