January 1-December 31, 1781 127

Excellency will Please to send me an Order for this Purpose for my
Voucher and at the same Time will Please to Inclose me an order on
Gen^l Buchannan for 10 or £12000

March 14
Red Book
No. 30
Letter 116

[James McHenry, V[oluntere] Aide de camp, Nesbit, to Gov. Lee.]

Cap^l McLane arrived here last night with a letter to the Commo-
dore from the Marquiss, in which he states the force of the enemy
at one frigate and a brig, then off S^t Jeromes. Two vessels have
come too this morning within five or six miles of the Nesbit, the
same it is probable, that gave rise to the MarquisS^ts intelligence, but
which the commodore does not think larger than sloops of war.
The Commodore is not apprehensive of danger from these Ves-
sels, but as their real strength is yet to be discovered, or as they may
be supported by others, perhaps your Excellency may judge it ex-
pedient to add to the precautions the detachment will necessarily
take for its own Safety some which may be derived from the land
batteries. These the Marquiss informed me were to be prepared for
such an occasion. Capⁿ Nicholson is of opinion that we can re-
ceive the greatest support in case the enemy should prove our supe-
rior from the wind Mill fort near the town. Of whatever succour
the troops can render for its repair or defence will be instantly af-
forded on your Excellency suggestion to Colonel Vose.
Upon further advising with Commodore Nicholson, I am per-
suaded we have nothing to apprehend but from disorder or defec-
tive arrangement
If a boat or fast sailing boat can be obtained it will be exceedingly
useful for reconnoitring the enemy should we find them but little
our superior, we shall make an assay of our own strength, as the
fleet cannot suffer by our misfortune

March 14
1/2 past
7 o'clock
A. M.
Red Book
No. 32
Letter 51

[Jas Calhoun, Baltimore, to the Governor and Council.]

I this Evening had the honour to receive yours of the 7^th Ins^t
respecting the seizing of Meat and am in great hopes the necessity
of making use of that to obtain the supplies is not so pressing as it
was when your letter was wrote otherwise it would have been for-
warded sooner
Our Markets have been very plentifully supply'd with Beef for
some time past and I could have purchased on good terms double
the quantity you mention if it were possible to procure money to
pay for it but most of our supplies come a considerable distance and
great part of it from Pensylvania therefore the seizing of one Beef
at this place would immediately spread the alarm and effectually pre-
vent the coming of any more for some time
I have already purchased & salted up within these few days 7 or
8000^w excellent Beef and shall not loose a moment in endeavouring

March 15