of the Council of Maryland. 51

absolutely refused paying a farthing on that Account alledging the
time limitted by Law was out for recruiting men and had it not been
thro the Perswasions of Neighbours I should not have rec'd any and I
would enevitably have lost the money I advanced. And altho it is
generally believed him and family has lived upon Continental Pro-
vision this Two Years past and still does he absolutely refused Issu-
ing Provisions for them men untill I could have an Oppertunity of
sending them to Balt^o I rec^d from him by Triffies 1650 Doll^s & when
he went to settle with the Com^rs thro his Perswasion I gave him a
receit upon the Order and took from under his Hand for 1350 Doll^s
due upon that Order, he now refuses settling that Acknowledgement
even in Taxes no other Excuse then the money to be Collected is for
the States and we Cannot allow it. I on my Passage to Baltimore
inlisted Two more recruits with my own money and Delivered
them to a Continental Officer and took his receit.
I further beg leave to inform Your Excellency that the Two
last men inlisted by me namely George Keller and John Campbell
was never as yet Passed to the Credit of this County and the Classes
is made out without them, there is from Fifteen Hundred to Two
Thousand pounds Currently giving for men for each Class Col^o
Thompson Lieut of this County and B. Williams his aid was each
of them Proceeded taking one of my men for their Class and is now
actually Collecting money from their Different Classes for their
finding them men and refuses giving me one shilling altho I am 1220
Doll^s out of Pocket for them men I therefore beg Your Excellency
will use Your Authority and do me Justice in that Case as I am
not of ability sufficient either in Purse or Person to Contend the
matter in any manner with them. I beg liberty to Dispose of them
to any Class I think Proper and You'll very much oblige
I omitted mentioning to Your Excellency that M^r Hamilton Shff
when I Contended for my right in the men struck & abused me much
I am very lame in one of my legs so as it is with Difficulty I walk.
I have neither money nor inclination to go to Law well Knowing
that most favour is shewn to those who has most Money. I should
have waited on Your Excellency myself but was not able to bear my
Expences but beg Your Excellencys Answer p return of Post as
next Monday is the last Day of settling the Classes

August 16
Red Book
Mo. 32
Letter
No. 25

[George Dashiell, Somerset County, to His Excellency
Thomas Sim Lee Esqr.]

Sir Inclosed is a list of the publick arms Ammunition &c in this
county as I had two hundred Catridge boxes sent here from Annapo-
lis and when General Hooper was over with the Dorset Militia he
ordered a part of them into their hands which was carried into
Dorset three hundred pounds of lead was sent to M^r Robinson
Steves of Dorchester county for our use, but never came to hand ;

August 16
Red Book
No. 26
Letter
No. 73