January 1-December 31, 1781 105

on duty suffers much for camp kettles it is with the greatest diffi-
culty they can get their rations dressed and is often oblige to broil
their meat as numbers of the inhabitants will neither lend nor
hire them pots I request the fav^r of your Excellency to order a few
Camp kettles to be sent to me if they can be spared. The company
ordered from Dorset to compell the payment of the taxes in poco-
moke and Annemessix Hundred have this day come into the County.
The people in this county will not enter as select Militia men, we
were not able to procure a single man out of either of the Battalions

March 4

[M. Gist, Baltimore, to Gov. Lee.]

I have this moment received a Letter from the Marquis at the
Head of Elk requesting that all the Vessels at this port might be sent
immediately to receive the Troops, who are waiting to embark — he
complains much of his disappointment there being but very few Ves-
sels at Elk.
I shall have a meeting of the Merch^ts this Ev^g, and expect they will
adopt some mode to forward such Sea Vessels as are here to morrow,
if not I hope and expect your Excellency & Council will excuse me
for taking possession of such Vessels and impressing hands for the
purpose of forwarding this important expedition.
NB. I am afraid there will not be vessels sufficient for the Troops.

March 4
Brown Book

No. 3
Letter 23

[Sam. Huntington, President, Philadelphia, to Gov. Lee.]

By the enclosed Act of Congress of the 3^d Instant your Excel-
lency will be informed that all the Convention Troops both in Vir-
ginia & Maryland are to be removed to Yorktown & Lancaster or
such other Places in the State of Pennsylvania as the Executive of
that State shall assign for their reception: and the State of Maryland
is requested to superintend the removal, Safe keeping & supply of
the German Corps from Nolands Ferry on Potowmack, and the
British now at Frederick town, through Maryland to the Borders of
Pennsylvania, and to continue the Guards until the British Prisoners
arrive at Yorktown & the Germans at Lancaster, or such other Places
as the Executive of Pennsylvania shall appoint for their reception.
The supplies both for the Prisoners & Escort are to be furnished by
Pennsylvania after they arrive within the Borders of that State.
If the Prisoners taken by Gen^l Morgan in the Action at the Cow-
pens should be removed to the Northward through Virginia, it is
necessary to include them also
I need not point out to your Excellency the Necessity & Impor-
tance of supplying a sufficient Guard, & especially a Commanding
Officer equal to the Task to prevent Desertion or any other Impedi-
ment to the Execution of these Orders

March 4
Brown Book
No. 7
Letter 2