of the Council of Maryland. 83

Commanders of our Fleet as far as is necessary. The first Plan we
proposed was to fit three Barges and send them down the Bay with
a Fleet of Merchant men bound for Statia, the owners of which Fleet
promising to order their Captains not only to protect the Barges but
to Cruize for some time in the Bay and endeavor to route the Enemy
from it: there arose so many difficulties, and the variety of opinions
concerning the propriety of this plan, clogd it so, that we were
under the necessity of droping the Barges, The owners of two or
three Brigs still continuing to agree that they shoud Cruize from
hence to the Capes on their outward Passage; and it was intended
they shoud have saild yesterday: but unfortunately we received
intelligence from Statia (where those Vessells were bound) that the
English had entirely blockt up that Port, we now wait 'til this days
Post arrives, and if these Accounts prove true, our Vessells will of
course be stopd, at least for a considerable Time, and I fear it break
up our intended Expedition.
You shall be advised of the Steps we mean to take

September 6

[Wm. Middleton to Gov. Lee]

S^r The term for which I was engaged in the State Boat Dolphin,
being nearly expired, I think it a duty incumbent on me to give you
this timely notice; of my Intention to leave a service in which I have
ever been happy, And flatter myself I have given pretty generall
satisfaction in the Execution of that duty; however notwithstanding
my Resolution to leave the service I am willing to Continue if a
sufficient Compensation is allowed to enable me Support my Family
which are not very large nor expensive
The season of the Year is approaching very fast when the greatest
Industry and exertion in me will scarcely procure them the neces-
sareys for the insuing Winter

September 6

[T. Donellan, Baltimore, to Gov. Lee]

Sir In Obedience to your Excellencys Comm^rs of the 2^d Inst: I
inclose a Return of Provisions Received & Disburst by me for the
State of Maryland from my Commencement to this day inclusive.
The Inspector has not yet met with one Barrel fit to be Branded
as Baltimore Fine, & M^r Smith will not Receive any other.
Shall have what is Condemned Baked into Bisket as soon as
possible but the Baker insists on being paid Monthly for what work,
he does as will appear by my certificates, on failure of which he says
he will be under a necessity of Stopping.
Shall forward all the good Flour as quick as possible.
My Return shews that I have forwarded to me w^ch kept me so
busy that I cou'd not write sooner

September 7
Red Book
No. 26
Letter
No. 89