January 1-December 31, 1781 123

receiving a price for the Grain and they accordingly took off be-
tween nine hundred and a thousand Bushels of Indian Corn and
on Monday Morning last proceeded down the River when they came
up to Vienna they left a Privateer Brigg at the mouth of Nanticoke,
one of the Sloops they brought up to Vienna mounts fourteen
Eighteen Pounders of the new Construction We kept up a party
of the Militia while they stay'd and they very punctually complied
with the Terms of their Capitulation These Vessels are forageing
for Arnold and as they were disappointed in the Quantity of Grain
they expected to have got on Nanticoke and from Hints I hear they
should have dropt I have Reason to think they will be in Choptank
or Wicomoco River within two or three Days, They say, there are
about forty flat bottom'd Vessels building at Portsmouth on a new
Construction & they want Plank for them, they have taken two or
three plank loaded Boats in Nanticoke. I wish our Craft from the
lower Counties of this Shore could be restricted from carrying
Lumber and Grain up the Bay for some Time as some disaffected
People may perhaps dispose of their Loading to the Enemy

March 13

[Roger Nelson to Coll. Uriah Forest, Annapolis] (p Cap^t Price)

D^r Coll^l I shall esteem it a very singular Favor if you'd have the
money drawn and lodged in the Hands of Cap^t Benjamin Price,
that has been voted me by the Gen^l Assembly of Maryland for the
purpose of defraying expences from and to S. Carolina, upon the
Buisiniss of the Southern Prisoners of the Maryland Line. It is
absolutely out of my Power to be in Annapolis myself before it set
out for the Southward.

March 13
Red Book
No. 29
Letter 43

[Rich'd Howly, Philadelphia, to Gov. Lee.]

Inclosed is a Majors brevet for M^r E. Giles, a Gentleman of your
State which has been voted him by Congress for his Merit & Ser-
vices. I do myself the honor, of transmitting it to your Excellency ;
with a request, it may be forwarded with convenient dispatch to the
person for whom it is intended

March 13
Red Book
No. 5
Letter 68

[Garland Callis to Gov. Lee.]

I have taken the liberty of writeing a few lines on the subject of
my very disagreeable Situation. I labour under every disadvantage
particularly that of my not having the Honor of being acquainted
with your Excellency or any of the Honorable Council — and am
Totally at a loss to conjecture what I can have done that renders
such a situation necessary. Whatever act I may have committed
I'll declare on my word and Honor has been done thro ignorance,
and could wish my hart and sentiments as open to you and the

March 14