of the Council of Maryland. 29

Rule, by which I am to be Governed in the purchase I always under-
stood that the new Regiment now raising was to be given to some
officer in the Line otherwise I shoud have made application for it,
and if it is not already disposed of I shall be glad to Accept it, and
to testify to both your Exc^y & the public how much I am Yours &
their ob^t Serv^t

July 25

[Peter Clarke to Gov. Lee]

Sir The bearer is an Invalid who had a Furlow from Colonel
Nicola some time before the Troops came down here & has been
very ill ever since he got his Furlow lengthen'd by Gen^l Mordecai
Gist which he has lost it was lengthened for four months on Acct
of his inability to march to Philadelphia he is blind of his right Eye
& has got a very bad leg occasion'd by the bite of a Dog there has
been People here to take him up as a Diserter as the furlow he had
from the Invalid Colonel is out and the one he had from Gen^l Gist
is lost which wou'd not be out for some time He is not able to walk
five miles at this time if you wou'd be so good as to give him a fur-
low for some time I'll be answerable for him as I am sure he woul'd
be willing to march any time he was able your Excellency will con-
fer a particuar obligation on me if you will let me know if an Officer
who has served 3 years in the Continental Service and resign'd on
Acc^t of losing his health is obliged to contribute in a Class of Militia
to find a Substitute.

July 26

[Wm. Smith's agent of the Marine of France to Thomas Donellan,
for the State of Maryland,]

Receipt for 412 barrels of flour, £815.1.13.

July 26
Red Book
No. 26
Letter
No. 90

[Henry Downes, Caroline County, to His Excellency
Thos. S. Lee Esqr]

Sir I Observe Coll^o Potter who is appointed to receive, Wheat,
Flour & Beef in this County in discharge of the September Assess-
ment, has advertised that he will give Cash for wheat for the use
of the State. And by the laws passed last Session to raise men to
fill up our Battalions, and raise a new one, Occasions an Assessment
(or fine) of 15£ in the hundred to shortly collected, and three Classes
of our Militia is ordered out few I doubt will goe. The money they
have not to pay their fines, nor can they get it. we have very few
Planters with us; and our Crops of wheat are very short, and no
cash to be had for that as yet. nor at this Season, have we anything
that will fetch it. Some that will, by the present demand for men and
money, he greatly distressed, who I pitty not. others who have
families, are poor, but will affected, bare the distresses occasioned
by necessity, with a becoming fortitude. It is too tender a scene for
a Generous mind, to be the instrument to break these people up.

July 26
Red Book
No. 26
Letter
No. 79