of the Council of Maryland. 33

portion of men, at which time we had only inlisted thirty one. From
the shortness of the time allowed the People to procure their pro-
portion of men and knowing that hardly any money would induce
the number the County was to have supplyed to Inlist during the
war, and having just received a Letter from F. Stone informing me
that the Field Officers of Charles County, had agreed to inlist their
men for three years, which as they could not be got for the war he
advised should be done. This added to the certainty that it would
not be in the power of the People to procure the money in time to
raise the men, and knowing that it would distress many to be
obliged to sell their effects to raise the money, Induced me together
with the unanimous advice of the Field Officers and Commissioners
of the Tax for the Co^ty, to give a further time till Tuesday next, for
the Classes to find their men, and at the same time to take them for
three years. Which proceeding I trust will meet with the approba-
tion of my Country, as it was done for the best. If men can be
raised by bounty money will be wanted, you will therefore consider
the propriety of supplying me with some for that purpose I do very
sincerely wish that I was clear of this purplexed disagreeable busi-
ness, which has been rendered exceedingly troublesome and has
been attended with considerable disadvantage to our raising the men,
by that absurd scheme of making two Classes of property, which in
my opinion did, as it now doth surpass all the schemes for absurdity
that I ever met with

July 28

[Benjn Mackall 4^th, Cal't. County, to Col. Forrest]

Sir I am sorry to inform you that there hasn't been a man en-
listed in this County for the Regiment extraordinary to be raised
in this month; and only One Recruit for the old Regiments. I com-
mitted two Deserters last week, who were enlisted during the war,
but they have since made their Escape by breaking through the
Prison wall.
The Class's have not been so industrious in procuring Recruits as
they ought, or I am satisfied they might have enlisted several in
this County. I have empowered them to get Recruits for the Classes,
and shall proceed immediately to recover the money. The Militia
have Orders to march next week. You will be kind enough to men-
tion this to the Governor and Council. I should have wrote to them,
but have no more Paper. I shall be glad to know where this Recruit
must be sent.

July 28

[James Hindman, Talbot County to Gov Lee]

Sir Upon my Return from Annapolis, I presented your order
on the Collector of the Tax for this County from whom I have
received £ 3934.. 17...6 it being the whole Amount of the money as
yet collected by him, the other order on the Treasurer of the Eastern
3

July 28