CORRESPONDENCE

OF THE

COUNCIL OF MARYLAND

LETTERS TO THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL

January 1-December 31, 1781

[Governor — Thomas Sim Lee: Councillors — Daniel Carroll, James Brice, Jere-
miah Townley Chase, John Hoskins Stone and Samuel Turbutt Wright. On Jan. 25,
1781 Stephen West succeeded Daniel Carroll who was elected a Delegate to the
Continental Congress. Thomas Sim Lee was re-elected Governor, November 19,
1781 and the Councillors re-elected, November 21, 1781 with the exception of
Stephen West who was succeeded by Benjamin Canada Stoddert.]

[Rich'd Dallam, Annapolis, to Gov Lee]

By my endeavours to comply with your Excellencys Orders (to
procure what wheat & flour in my power) I have been able to engage
several Crops of Wheat on the Terms of paying the price the persons
could get when paid. On promise that If I could not procure the
money when wanting that I w^ld relinquish my Bargain. Under these
circumstances I have yet about three thousand Bush^ls of wheat in
my Power to obtain, if money can be had to pay for it.
Knowing the State of Your Treasury I have no expectation of
geting money sufficient for the above purpose & having no hopes of
any longer securing the wheat I have thought it necessary to give
Your Excellency this Information and to request your Instructions
that I may not hereafter be subject in any manner to answer for
giving up these Contracts
The multiplicity of Your Business & the Trouble I have allready
given prevented my Application in Person, but as I wait till the
morning for Your Excellences Answer Hope I shall be favourd
with it
The Cattle I purchased is by Contract to be paid for in a few days,
and I myself have no means to comply with the Contracts.
The flour made from the Wheat I received for Taxs & purchased
with Certificates & new money I expect is forwarded by this time,
except the small parcels of wheat received in Mills at a distance from
navigation
I shall on my return apply myself to settling all my Accounts &
bring them done in the best order I can as soon as possible

January 1

[Joseph Ford, Leonard Town, to Gov. Lee]

Your Excellencies letter of the 27^th of last month I Received
this morning by Post and have to inform that the Quantity of Pork
to be Purchased in S^t Mary's will be but small Five Thousand weight
is as much as I expect to get and I may be disappointed in geting that
1

January 3