January 1-December 31, 1781 135

the French ships mentiond calld the Fantasque did not sail, being
an old Vessel made a hospital Ship of, please therefore to correct
the list. The Board of war refered to Congress two Letters from
y^r Excellency on the Subject of Co^l Smith & the 4 Artillery com-
pany — these papers are refer'd to a committee of which I am one. I
shall be glad to receive every information in y^r power on the Subject —
particularly relative to the Artillery company. I believe there are
among the Council papers some Letters from Gen^l Washington &
returns show^s that almost the whole of Harrison's Reg^t of Artillery
was compoS^td of Maryland troops. Extracts of what may appear
proper from these letters & a copy of the returns (which I cannot
get from the board of war) may serve to put that business in a way
to obtain justice. The State appears to have been injured by the
arrangement, & some of her officers in consequence of it.

March 20
Red Book
No. 5
Letter 77

[Joseph Dashiell, Wor. County, to Gov. Lee.] (By Mr. McBryed)

I Rec^d a letter from the M^r J. T. Chase of the 27^th Feb^ry request-
ing a return of all the provisions that had been procured by me, as
Commisary of this County. I made a return last Winter when at
the Assembly, and as soon as I Can see the persons Intrusted with
that Business, in my absence, I will make a return of the Disposition
of it, tho I am afraid we shall find Considerable Waste & Dammage
in the Corn, which has bin Shipt & reshipt, on acc^t of the Navigation
being stopt by the Enemy, I Believe that thirteen Bar: pork & about
Twelve hundred b^bs of Corn is still on hand, which is at Snow hill
& Mattapany the Militia officers has Drawn out of Our hands near
all the Bacon and sum pork which I shall make a return of with
their Receipts
I am Convinced that if no French Fleet arive nor we have no
Navel force that the Militia heare will Consume all the Meat provi-
sion we Can procure and will not be able after all the Care that Can
be Taken to prevent the Enemys getting suplyed, Except sum few
Examples are made of those who furnish them provisions The Barer
M^r McBry'd Can inform you of Our Situation and how Impracti-
cable it is to prevent them getting suplys, with Out we had a Naval
force
You may expect to heare from me in a few days by M^r Shockley,
who I have apprehended, and shall send forward Next Tuesday
N B. My Bro: & my self have about fifty thousand pounds public
money which we shall send in this week.

March 20

[T. Pickering, Q. M. G., Philadelphia, to Gov. Lee.]

A few days since I was informed of a parcel of biscuit in this
city which came from Maryland, & is said to be unfit for use. More
of the same kind is baking at the Head of Elk & Baltimore But for
more particular information I beg leave to refer your Excellency

March 20
Brown Book
No. 8
Letter 2