132 Letters to the Governor and Council

March 18
11 o'clock at
night
Red Book
No. 30
Letter 111

as I know of no object worthy of their notice above Patapsco Ex-
cept the Vessles and Stores at this place, or perhaps the Vilage, we
are collecting all the Militia (or rather the Inhabitants of the Vilage)
to make the best defence we possibly can to night, which should the
Enemy come in any force we are scarcely Equal to oppose them, but
should they delay it untill morning I am in no doubt of collecting a
sufficient number not only to cover the Vessles, and Stores, but give
a pretty good account of the Enemy should they be daring enough
to attempt anything above the narrows of the River, our Lieutenant
is unluckely indisposed and Field officers Live at a distance, Capt
Booth is doing all He can to Collect and arm the men as they come
in, I am much in haste

March 18
Red Book
No. 30
Letter 115

[Geo. P. Keeports, Baltimore, to Gov. Lee.] (Fav^d By Mr. Poe)

May It Please Your Excellency Since Writing the 15^th Ins^t I
have been Prevented Sending the Cloathing Mentioned, To M^r
Muir for Want of a Conveyance the Cloathing and the Cloths Pur-
chased of M^r H. Courtney are all Pack'd up and Ready to be For-
warded by the First Good Oppertunity.
I must Beg Leave to Inform your Excellency that the Late Alarm
we had Here Occasioned by the Two Ships Going up the Bay I was
Called on by the Militia Artillery Officers for Field Peices and Am-
munition the First of which not Being Repaired were Useless and
of the Latter There was not any Suitable made up (For the want
of Money only) which Occasioned much unEasyness and Dissatis-
faction with Numbers of the Inhabitants.
I have Engaged a Workman to make Wheels & Repair the Field
Peices But he has Declined going on with the Work untill I Pay
him as much Money as his work will Amount to Weekly. The
Armourers Likewise that I have Employed Cleaning & Repairing
the Arms have Refused Doing any more work Several Times but
Through Perswasion and Getting Provision for them on Credit
have Hitherto Pervailed on them to Continue Working, But shall
not have it in my Power to get them to Continue at work Longer
without I am Enabled to Pay their Wages for the Want of which
they are in the Greatest Distress I yesterday Finished Casting Musket
Balls of the Whole of the lead Lead that was in this Place which
made about 5000 Ounce Balls the Half of which I have Given out
to be made up and am to pay Ready Money for making the Car-
tridges your Excell^y will see By the Inclosed memorandum what
Num^r of Musq^ts Cartridges are Ready Made and will Please to order
more Lead sent me if you shou'd Judge it Necessary to have More
Musq^t Cartridges made up The Great Distress I am in for Want of
Money to have the Publick Business under my Care Executed and
for my own Subsistance I Hope will Apologize for my Freedom of
Making such Constant and Pressing Application for Money and
Procure a Speedy Relief