of the Council of Maryland. 199

I am entirely out of meat, but I shall Endeavour to purchase as I
much on Credit as will supply the post untill M^r Magruder Can
return, at which time your Excellency will please to Direct me how
to act, my Situation here is Truly alarming, for the prisoners realy
suffer for water as well as meat, for the wells Both in & out of the
fort are Dry, so that we Have water to fetch near half a mile,
the Prisoners attempted the other night to Force the gate but were
prevented from geting out by the alertness of the guard, there is no
more of the Convention Troops arived Lately, and I am in hopes
will not, as its not in my power to receive them, if they are to Come
to Maryland. I would beg leave to Recommend their being Quar-
tered at Frederick Town as there is good Barracks, and the officers
Expect to be near the men and at that place they could be ac-
comodated.
I sent a man sometime ago up the South branch of Potomac, in
order to Contract for a number of Cattle, he has return^d and Re-
ports, that he had partly agreed for 200 head on pretty good Terms,
he Expected to have got the money on my return from Annapolis,
but is Disappointed, I have thought proper to send him back again,
in hopes he Can Satisfie the people to wait for the Money untill
M^r Magruder Can return in hopes it will be in your Excellencys
power to send me a sum, by the Sale of Tobacco If am Disappointed
in geting these Cattle am afraid it will not be in my power to Get
any this winter, yesterday I was offered 40 head, could have bought
them if I had half the money to have paid in hand but for the want
of that, Lost the Bargain

)ecember 5

[John Reid, Fort Fred^k, to Gov Lee.]

Sir I have the Hon^r to Inform vour Excellency that a few days
ago I Procured two Recruits in addition to my Company. I am also
to acquaint your Excellency that M^r Magruder who waits on you
thinks himself entitled to the appointm^t of Lieut. from the Resig-
nation of M^r William Pyles of the first of June last, which I hope
you will be Pleas'd to Grant him
I would thank your Excellency to give M^r Magruder an order
for what State Stores we are allow'd as we are in much want of these
Articles and out of the way of supplies

December 5

[Sam. Smith, Balt., to Gov. Lee]

Sir I had the Honor to receive the Presidents Letter of the 3^d
Ult. & presume I direct right when I address your Excell^y I am
much oblig^d by the Terms offer'd the Brig^g Cato & do accept them
presuming they are the same given to others. I think the state may
with propriety Claim any prizes taken on the outward passage, as it
has one Third Interest in Ship & Cargo, but on the return when her

December 5