January 1-December 31, 1781 145

this would be the most frugal and eligable plan for You to proceed
upon I will agree any Carpenter a judge of work shall examine and
set a price upon the Hull, which may be repaired and at Sea in a
month

March 23
Red Book

No. 27
Letter 46

[W. Smith to His Exy Thomas S. Lee Esqr In Council.]

As I have rec^d orders to remove the bread in my possession from
the several Bakehouses to the Kings Store & transport a part thereof
to Delaware. I would be glad to know the determination of y^r Exc^y
& the Hon^ble Council as soon as convenient on that head, If you
choose to have any part thereof it will be unnecessary to go to the
expence of removing it from where it now is untill delivered to your
order. I believe the quantity you want can be delivered at a short
notice.
I will either take 17/6 p hundred or 1^lb of merchantable flour.
If it is not convenient to make immediate payment I will wait a rea-
sonable time, and take the exchange at the time payment is made; but
should that exceed a month or two interest will be expected, your
answer by M^r Ridley on Monday will oblige
On looking into the order delivered me last night for the flour, I
find I am to receive but 75 b^les of flour for 506 B. of wheat. I tho'
it had been determin'd to pay the same weight in wheat. If this is
a mistake your Ex^cy will please to have it rectifyed you'll also please
to observe that the order does not specify any weight of flour, but
the number of barrels.

March 24
Saturday
Morning
Red Book
No. 32
Letter 42

[Will^m Wilkins, Annapolis To the Hon^ble the Governor and Council]

At what Price is the Cloathing furnished the Troops of the Mary-
land Line (not properly chargable to the Continent) to be charged?
are they to pay the Price at which the same might have been bought
at the commencement of the present war, the Price directed by a

Resolution of Congress of the 25^th Nov^r 1779 or the Price at the
Time of Delivery?
To The Hon^ble The Govournor
[Endorsed " Referred to the Commissioners for Settling & adjust-
ing the Pay of the officers & Soldiers of the Troops of this State."]

March 24

[War Office, Philadelphia, to Colonel James Wood, Superintending
the Convention prisoners.]

The very considerable desertions which have prevailed among the
Convention prisoners and the repeated neglects on the part of the
British Generals to pay for their support have long been matters of
serious Consideration and furnish undeniable proof of a System,
the evils attendant on which require an immediate remedy.

March 24
Red Book
No. 7
Letter 205