204 Journal and Correspondence

December 15

in geting workmen or Tools to do any thing to the Barracks, for
want of money, the sherif being unable to answer any part of the
Draughts on him. M^r Murdoch thinks it will be morally impossible
to make any considerable Purchases on Credit, as soon as I get the
Troops Tolerably fixed, I think it will be Necessary for me to go to
Virginia, in order to forward the Purchase of Beef and Pork. I am
sensible of the Politeness and attention I met with at your Hon^ble
Board, for w^ch I beg leave to Offer my acknowledgements.

December 15

[Mark Alexander to Gov. Lee recommends the appointment of
Job Garritson as sheriff of Baltimore County in place of Joseph
Baxter, resigned, as he is a " sober, indousterus man and very at-
tentive to whatever buisness he undertakes." He has a good estate
and will be able to give " sufficient sureties."]

December 15

[John Hall Caile, Dorchester County, to Gov. Lee.]

Sir As the season for the purchase of Pork is at hand & I have
not yet had the honor of receiving any instructions from you re-
specting that very necessary commodity I beg leave to request you
will inform me by the earliest opportunity whether I must endeavour
to procure any and at the same time permit me to give you my senti-
ments on the occasion From the best information I can receive &
which I have been at some trouble to acquire there is not any con-
siderable quantity to be sold from the real scarcity of Hogs but I
have observed that at this time of the year the people generally
make complaints that contribute to raise the price & as frequently
without foundation however I am induced to believe there hardly
ever was more occasion than at present.
I likewise take the liberty to inform you that I think it probable
a quantity of Corn might be bought in this County the Crop being
in general exceeding good & the only difficulty that I apprehend
wou'd attend a purchase of that article or even Pork is the prevail-
ing on the people to receive money of the new emissions in pay-
ment, shou'd you think it necessary for me to attempt purchasing
either of these articles or Peas Beans or oats or any of them you
will be pleased to send me your instructions respecting the prices
I may be allowed to give, and also furnish me with Cash being well
assured nothing can be done without prompt payment. The late
Commissary purchased a quantity of Wheat with the money he was
furnished with for that purpose it is now on hand I shou'd be glad
to know if you want to have it manufactured or in what other
manner it is to be disposed of I need not remark to your Excellency
how indispensably necessary it is in order to make an extensive pur-
chase to begin early, Private Purchasers are allready busied in the
purchase of Pork with a View probably of hereafter making a profit
on from the publick. Should your Excellency be inclined to instruct